Family members of state Rep. John Mizuno are among the missing in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

“My sister-in-law Maria Lyn’s family, the Paltingca’s, who reside in Leyte, her daughter Sophia, dad Jacinto, brother Elbuin, sisters, nephews and nieces are still missing and we have received no word from our family,” Mizuno said in a press release.  “My wife is working in concert with the Philippine Consulate General, the Filipino Community Center, and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on relief efforts to help our people in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.”

May Besario Mizuno, wife of the Vice Speaker, said, “My heart goes out to my family members still missing in Leyte. Please pray for them, pray for all victims of typhoon Haiyan, and pray for the fortitude to assist in relief efforts for not only my family but all the victims.”

May Mizuno and the Congress of Visayan Organizations (COVO) in collaboration with the Filipino Community Center, Kokua Philippines and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii will be holding a fundraiser dubbed “Kokua for Philippines: A Night of Hope Concert” on Sunday, Dec. 1  at 5:30 pm at the McKinley High School Auditorium. 

“We are seeking donations from corporate sponsors for donations and sponsorships,” said May Mizuno. “Proceeds from the concert will go to reputable non-governmental organizations and agencies that are already involved in the disaster relief operations in the affected areas.” 

Hernando Tan, President of Local 5 and the Executive Director of COVO provides “This is a time we need to unite after such a calamity in the Central Philippines, I respectfully ask for your kind support as we work to help the victims of the typhoon.”

The concert is being held to benefit not only the victims of typhoon Haiyan, but the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the central Philippines, particularly the island of Bohol, on Oct. 15.

The Dec. 1 show will headline Kristian Lei, an internationally-acclaimed singer, comedian Augie T., and Norman Arancon.  

MORE INFORMATION:

>> Family tracing services for missing people in the Philippines due to typhoon: Call the Hawaii Red Cross hot line at 739-8115. 

>> For announcements by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, including tracing services, go to its Facebook page or website at www.philippineshonolulu.org 

>> Hawaiian Telcom is providing its residential home phone customers with free direct calls to the Philippines in response to the typhoon through Nov. Go to hawaiiantel.com/Philippines for applicable terms and restrictions to this program.

>> For updates on federal response efforts and information on finding love-ones, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz created a comprehensive resource center at www.schatz.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=348037.

To help:

>> Send a check payable to “American Red Cross,” indicate in memo line “Philippine Typhoon” or “Pacific Typhoon” (affecting Vietnam, Philippines, etc.) to Hawaii Red Cross, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu I 96816. Or go to redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

>>Damien Memorial School students are mobilizing a “Help Damien Feed Tacloban”  food  drive for Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon. Drive-through donations of nonperishable foods  can be dropped off at the Damien parking lot. 

>>May Mizuno, wife of state Rep. John Mizuno, and the Congress of Visayan Organizations (COVO) in collaboration with the Filipino Community Center, Kokua Philippines and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii will be holding “Kokua for Philippines: A Night of Hope Concert,” on Sunday, Dec. 1  at 5:30 pm at the McKinley High School Auditorium. Mizuno family members are among the missing.

>> L & L Hawaiian Barbecue at Keeaumoku Street Walmart will donate proceeds from all sales from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday through the Consuelo Foundation. The restaurant will match the proceeds. Checks to the Consuelo Foundation can be sent care of L & L Hawaiian Barbecue, 931 University #202, Honolulu, HI 96826.

>> Verizon Wireless is waiving charges on long-distance calls and text/multimedia messages to the Philippines from Nov. 8 through Dec. 7 for their monthly service customers. The company’s text-to-donate program allows U.S. customers to make a $10 donation to any of the following organizations: Text RELIEF to 25383 to give to Catholic Relief Services; Text AID to 80077 to give to HOPE Worldwide; Text AID to 50555 to give to Operation USA; Text DONATE to 20222 to give to Save the Children; Text RELIEF to 864233 to give to UNICEF; Text AID to 27722 to give to World Food Program USA; Text HOPE to 777444 to give to WORLD VISION. Text-messaging fees will be waived and 100 percent of each donation goes directly to the nonprofit organization. 

>>>> Panda Restaurant Group Inc. (PRG), parent company of Panda Express, will collect donations in each of its 1,650 Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San locations. Panda will match 100 percent of in-store and corporate donations collected between Nov. 13 and Dec. 4.