About Charles K Bent
Born to Daisy Kaai Kamakawiwo’ole and Henry Kaahae Bent on December 6, 1932, 12:49 a.m., at Kapiolani Womens & Childrens Hospital in Honolulu, Hawai’i, was Charles Kahaealohaulaokalani Bent. After a few days old, he was taken by his paternal grandmother Mary Kaulani Kekumano, who was then married to the Reverend Woodward, who was kahuna pule for the Kahikolu Congregational Church in Napo’opo’o, Hawai’i. He happily grew up there with his grandparents and learned to speak the hawai’ian language fluently. But was told never to speak it outside the home, or around the white race because it was forbidden by the missionaries and other officials.
He stayed in Napo’opo’o till the passing of his grandmother. By then he was 15 years of age. He was then brought to Honolulu to live with his mother Daisy, father Henry, and sister Mary Jane, who was five years older and was already married and had children of her own. He was put into Iolani School to board, by his Uncle David Bent, who also put Charley’s grandfather in a home for the elderly. Charley hated boarding school, so he got himself kicked out and then went to Mc Kinley High School which he was happier at. He loved to surf and would go to Waikiki to surf with his friends. He also used to caddy for some local golfers to earn spending money, and also learned to play the game. He was very proud of the fact that at fifteen years of age, he made a hole-in-one. He was taken under the wings of Uncle Sonny, who they called Big Joe Lee. He also helped his step-father Simore Lindsey build and repair boats.
At the age of seventeen he joined the US Army on 27 July 50, and took his training at Schoffield Barracks here in Hawai’i. He served in the Korean War as a ranger, in the 8th Army Ranger Co attached to the 25th Division. After the tour of duty in Korea, he was stationed in Germany, and then took his first discharge at Fort Ord, California on 2 June 53. He re-enlisted on 13 July 53 at Oakland Army Base, CA. and was with the 598th Trans Co APO 46 as a truck driver and ran the motor pool. Took his second discharge at Ford Ord California on 29 Aug 56.
Badges received: Combat Inf Badge
Korean Svc Medal with 3 Brz Scv Stars
UN Svc Medal
1 O/S Bar Army of Occ Medal (Germany)
National Defense Service Medal
Married Joanne Auen and had 3 children: Charles Kahaealohaulaokalani Jr, Constance Iwalani, and James Kaleo. Divorced after 10 years and returned to Honolulu. While married to Joanne, he entertained at different clubs in the Bay Area. He also drove for the San Francisco Transit System. His route was number 22, which started from Marina Blvd., down Fillmore till Herman, then down Church St. till 16th St., down 16th till Kansas St., then down Kansas till 17th St., 17th St. till Connecticut, down Cnnecticut till 18th St., 18th St. till Third St., down Third till 20th St., up 20th till Tennessee, and back up the route that he came down on.
Charley Bent, singer/comedian/emcee/composer, performed on Matson Lines, in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe and many major mainland clubs. He performed with different polynesian groups as a singer and fire-knife dancer. He returned to Hawaii to perform at the Hawaiian Village luaus with Danny Kaleikini. He also emceed the strip show at the Dunes for Jack Scion. He also entertained in various night clubs for Spence/Weaver. One of which was the Tahitian Lanai. And he also performed at the Schooner’s on Kalakaua Ave., where I first met this handsome man. At that time I was only 19 years of age and was no way interested in him romantically. I was in a relationship at that time to another individual who I care not to mention his name. Charley was then married to Dickie Lee Medeiros, who used to be a hula dancer for Sterling Mossman, and was given the nickname Maui, being that she came from that island. They had 3 chidren: Brandon David Kaonohiulaokalani, Conrad Anthony Kamakini and Mailelanili’ili’i Regina. Divorced after 9 years, and moved to Hilo to perform with the Danny Paleka Trio at the Windjammer’s Cabin, at the Hilo Lagoon Hotel.
That is when I met this gorgeous man again. But this time, we did take an interest in each other and stayed together ever since. I was a cosmetologist at the time for Arlene’s Beauty Shop, and he was a Disc Jockey for the hawai’ian program at KPUA Radio Station. Then I went to work for a shop at the Hilo Hawai’ian Hotel. I quit work when I was a few months pregnant to my daughter Dan and he quit the radio station and only did his music job. He came to Oahu to make a recording for Johnny Spencer which was promoted in Canada. They cut a 45, and an album which actually did well in Canada, but unfortunately Mr. Bent never got a nickel from it. He got shafted by a so called friend who took the money and bought himself a brand spankin’ new Cadillac. But as they say, “what comes around, goes around.” Johnny Spencer met with a deadly accident driving home one night intoxicated.
After our daughter Dan was born, I went to work at the Hilo Hawai’ian Hotel for his cousin Lynette, who was the food & beverage manager. I worked as a coctail waitress there and at the Hilo Lagoon Hotel. He entertained them, while I got them drunk (just joking). 
Thus begins the life and times of Charley, Linda, and the whole Bent Bunch, which out weighs the Brady’s by a mile!
