Despite millions of dollars that have poured into the Philippines to provide relief after Typhoon Haiyan, state Rep. John Mizuno said he fears that sufficient aid isn’t making it to the smaller, outlying towns.

Mizuno held a news conference Friday at the state Capitol to address his concerns and speak with family members in the Philippines live via Skype. The Mizuno family didn’t hear from relatives living in Barugo, a town about 30 miles from Tacloban city, for 10 days after the storm struck. When they did make contact, family members were alive but starving.

The family received three meager rations of rice and sardine cans from a single Philippine nonprofit organization three days, six days and 12 days after the storm before they fled Barugo by boat for the southern province of Negros Oriental to be with relatives who weren’t affected by the storm, said Mizuno (D, Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley).

"I feel compelled as a lawmaker to share my family’s plight so that everyone can know the truth about relief efforts in the wake of the deadliest typhoon to ever hit the Philippines," he said. "The food, the bottled water, clothing, tents and shelter and medications never got to Barugo town, at least after the 13 to 14 days after the typhoon hit, so we’re very concerned. … Our belief is that if they’re not getting relief aid to them, (then) there’s a lot of other towns in that radius that also had the same fate as they did."

The U.S. military did roll through the town of about 10,000 people to clear roads, but the Philippine government and Red Cross were never seen by Mizuno’s family in the weeks before they left, he said.

Mizuno’s cousin Sophia Mae Paltingca, 17, said in the video conference call that while she is thankful for the relief they did receive, the lack of response from the country’s government or major aid organizations was upsetting.

"Before we left I (didn’t see) Red Cross at all to help us," she said. "Some of the Philippine government passed by our town, and they only went to Tacloban to help."

The family plans to return to their home in three to four weeks to rebuild and hopes it hasn’t been broken into and looted, Mizuno said.

Mizuno’s wife, May Besario Mizuno, as president of the Congress of Visayan Organizations in Hawaii, is planning a fundraiser dubbed "Kokua for Philippines: A Night of Hope Concert," slated for 5:30 p.m. Sunday at McKinley High School Auditorium. Kristian Lei and Augie T. are among the featured performers. May Besario Mizuno said the organization hopes to put the money raised toward tangible relief efforts such as buying canned goods or rebuilding infrastructure to withstand future storms.

Another benefit concert, "Kokua for the Philippines," will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 15 on the Great Lawn at Hilton Hawaiian Village and will be broadcast live on radio and television stations and via the Internet. The lineup of performers includes Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Henry Kapono, Kalapana, Raiatea Helm, Makana, Sean Na’auao, Loretta Ables Sayre, Kalei Gamiao, Kuana Torres Kahale, Jordan Segundo, Aidan James, Da Braddahs, Roman of Kolohe Kai, Rebel Souljahz, Natural Vibrations, Starr Kalahiki, the Honolulu Jazz Quartet, EMKE and Sing the Body. In addition, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell will participate in the show. Proceeds from a phone bank and on-site gifts will be donated to the American Red Cross. Gifts designated to other nonprofits also will be accepted.