"Moana" was purchased by the Navy on 28 November 1941 and converted to Navy use at Craig Shipbuilding Co., Long Beach, California, she commissioned as USS "Hilo" (PG-58) on 11 June 1942, Lieutenant Commander F. A. Munroe in command.One of the first ships to be used as a motor torpedo boat tender, "Hilo" departed Long Beach, California, to load supplies at San Diego, California on 19 June and sailed for Pearl Harbor on 28 June.