"Hilo March" is a Hawaiian popular song written by Joseph Kapeau Aeʻa. It was originally called "Ke Ala Tuberose". It has been covered by a number of musicians, Polynesian and non-Polynesian alike. It was also used in the soundtrack of SpongeBob SquarePants (arranged by Jan Rap as "Hilo March", and arranged by Kapono Beamer as "Old Hilo March").
About the song It has been adopted as the school song by the University of Hawaii at Hilo.Mal Bay's Hawaiian Uke Songbook by Ken Eidson & Ross Cherednik Page 24 Hilo March Along with another popular song, "Aloha ʻOe", every person from child to senior citizen know is said to the words and music to these songs.The University of Hawai'i-Hilo: A College in the Making - Frank T. Inouye, Edward John Kormondy Page 50 Frank T. Inouye, "The Hilo March" Originally the song was called "Ke Ala Tuberose" and was composed by Joseph Kapeau Aeʻa, who was a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band and also a friend of Princess Liliuokalani.Na Mele O Hawaíi Nei: 101 Hawaiian Songs collected by Samuel Hoyt Elbert and Noelani Mahoe Page 50 Hilo HanakahiSandra Wagner-Wright Writer, Historian, Traveller April 20, 2015 HAPA-HAOLE HAWAIIAN MUSIC – A SAMPLING The princess requested Aeʻa and the band come to Hilo and that is where he composed the song. In August 1881, the title was changed from "Ke Ala Tuberose" to "Hilo March" and played by the Royal Hawaiian band under Captain Henri Berger's direction.Mel Bay presents Ten Favorite Hawaiian Songs by H.M.'Heeday' Kimura Page 19 Hilo March Besides being a favorite of the Royal Hawaiian band and its popularity in the Islands, it has been picked up as a favorite by many steel guitarists on the mainland.Mel Bay presents Learn to Play Fingerstyle Solos for Ukulele by Mark Kailana Nelson Page 43 Hilo March The lyrics of the song tell of Hilo's beauty as well as the beauty of the Lehua flower.Beaches of the Big Island John R. K. Clark Page 20
Covers It has been covered by artists such as Trevor Edmondson,Kaipra Lifestlyer 13-May-08 Trevor’s Coming Home to Play Christopher Homer & Raney Van Vink,Country Music Records : A Discography, 1921-1942 Tony Russell 380 Okeh Records the Four Hawaiians, Lani McIntyre and his Aloha Islanders, the Mena Moeria Minstrels, Tau Moe's Original Hawaiians, Johnny Pineapple And His Orchestra, Hank Snow,45Cat Hilo March, Records Bashful Brother Oswald,Discogs Banjo & Dobro and Bill Wolfgramme and his IslandersDiscogs Noel Peach Presents Bill Wolfgramm And His Islanders* With Daphne Walker – South Sea Rhythm
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