He was hospitalized at about 4:30 a.m. and was pronounced dead about an hour later, said friends.

Benton was 53.

Benton and fellow comedian Ed Kaahea were to co-star in "Lolo No Ka Oi," a comedy production featuring four stand-up acts, set for 7:30 p.m. June 28 at the Hawai'i Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Benton was preparing for a comeback ­ and a revival of Booga Booga ­ at the time of his death.

The producers of the event said that Deborah Benton, his widow, would want the performance to go on as a tribute to the entertainer.

Funeral details are pending.

Besides his wife, survivors include a son, Kui; a granddaughter, Nai'a; two brothers, Ralph Wilms and Jack Benton; a sister, Kathy Ahlo; and his mother, Ann Wilms.

"He wasn't breathing, when I got up early to go to work," said Deborah Benton, head of catering at the Hawai'i Convention Center. "I called 911 and an ambulance took him to Castle, where they tried to revive him but couldn't."

She said that he had been diagnosed with a heart problem a year ago and was on medication.