An Ala Moana resident who recently returned from the Philippines described the devastation in Tacloban as a scene from an apocalypse movie: overturned cars, flattened structures, and toppled trees and utility poles.

"It’s horrible," said James Weisman, a Honolulu attorney.

Weisman recently returned to Hawaii after he spent almost three weeks in the Philippines to check on the welfare of his friends and help provide dried goods to residents victimized by Typhoon Haiyan.

The storm, described as one of the strongest cyclones to make landfall in recorded history, killed more than 5,000 people and affected millions in the country’s central and southern region.

During his trip to Tacloban, the capital of Leyte, Weisman saw droves of residents lined up to pick up food and water from relief workers. The U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith participated in relief efforts and a team of volunteers with the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii will soon travel to the country to provide aid.

Tents were set up to shelter and treat residents.

Weisman said he bought lots of powdered milk and dried goods and distributed them to affected residents.

"I wanted to give all that I had," he said. "Most were dehydrated, starving."

He criticized the Philippine government, saying officials did nothing the first several days after the storm swept through the country. There was no aid, Weisman said.

Photos Weisman took of the aftermath of the storm showed overturned vehicles amid piles of debris throughout the city of Tacloban and barren trees.

Though their homes were destroyed and livelihoods dramatically altered by the powerful cyclone, affected residents started to show signs of resilience after the arrival of relief efforts, Weisman said.

Photos showed pallets of food and emergency supplies at the tarmac of Manila Airport. Food was immediately distributed to hundreds at the airport.