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Flights grounded as Hawaii hurricane approaches

Strong winds and torrential rain are battering Hawaii as Hurricane Lane approaches the US state, causing flash flooding and landslides.

United Airlines cancelled all Friday flights to and from the main airports on the second-largest island of Maui.

Schools and offices were closed as residents took shelter from the storm, which was downgraded to category three strength on Thursday.

The hurricane brought winds of 125 mph and heavy rainfall to the Pacific islands.

President Donald Trump earlier declared a state of emergency for Hawaii.

Evacuation centres were set up as Trump urged Hawaiians to hunker down and prepare for the worst.

The White House said that federal authorities were on standby to provide support and supplies to local and state emergency response efforts.

While the storm has been downgraded, the situation remains “dangerous” and severe flooding is a “major concern”, the US National Weather Service tweeted.

Hawaii governor David Ige urged residents to set aside supplies of water, food and medicines as a precaution and to avoid driving if possible.

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