Lanikai, a schooner-rigged diesel powered yacht built in 1914 at East Oakland, Calif., was taken over by the Navy at Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, under charter from Luzon Stevedoring Co., Inc., 5 December 1941; and commissioned the same day, Lt. Kemp Tolley in command.(article about USS Lanikai mission) 
Late in November 1941 it became apparent to the American Government that Japanese forces were tactically deposed for major operations in Southeast Asia, but her precise target was unknown. A large convoy was steaming south from Formosa Straits, and it was hoped that learning the destination of these ships might reveal Japan’s intentions.
On 2 December, President Roosevelt ordered through Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. H. R. Stark, that Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet Adm. T. C. Hart “charter three small vessels to form a defensive information patrol...to observe and report by radio Japanese movements in the west China Sea and Gulf of Siam.”

Sold in early 1937 to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios for use in making Hurricane, starring Jon Hall and Dorothy Lamour. Following completion of the film, Lanikai was used as the MGM yacht. ( MGM promotional material from that time stated the Yacht belong to Sam Goldwyn.)

 
USS Lanikai was used in the 1937 movie Hurrican

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