Image copyright Reuters Image caption Residents have been purchasing sandbags and plywood ahead of the hurricane's arrival

The US state of Hawaii is bracing for a dangerous category four hurricane which could hit the islands as early as Wednesday evening.

Lane was downgraded to a category four storm, with sustained winds of 155 mph (249km/h), but officials say it is still close to category five strength.

Forecasts say the islands will face strong winds and surging waves even if the storm does not make landfall.

The last category five storm to come this close to Hawaii was John in 1994.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Honolulu residents move canoes and boats away from the beach as Hurricane Lane approaches

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island anda hurricane watch for the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai as of Wednesday morning.

The Navy announced that ships and submarines based at Pearl Harbour will be sent out to sea where they will be "safely out of the path of the storm".

Commanders of ships that are undergoing maintenance and are unable to leave port have been authorised to drop anchor, add additional mooring and storm lines, and disconnect power cable connected them to shore.

On the Big Island, the first in Hurricane Lane's path, damaging tropical storm and hurricane-force winds could pick up as soon as Wednesday afternoon or evening.

President Donald Trump urged those in the path of the storm to prepare and listen to local officials.

Intense rain and thunderstorms are also expected to reach the Big