Hurricane Lane is downgraded to Category 3, but Hawaiians are still bracing for a pounding

HONOLULU - The powerful reality of Hurricane Lane began to settle in on Hawaiians on Thursday as Honolulu braced itself by opening emergency shelters, closing beaches and parks, canceling school for the remainder of the week and putting nonessential government workers on leave.

But even amid that preparation and images of flooding on the Big Island, meteorologists reported that Lane had weakened to a Category 3 storm by late Thursday afternoon. Forecast models showed it continuing to head north before veering west - with the eye running just west of the shores of the island chain - though its ultimate trajectory remains uncertain.

"It has already shown signs of weakening," National Weather Service meteorologist