81, of Pearl City, Hawaii, was called to heaven on June 29, 2022. She was born in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Maria Petra Bringas and Benjamin Castillo Fines. She attended high school at Farrington High School in Honolulu, and Elk Grove High in Sacramento, California. She also attended Sacto Junior College in Sacramento, California before moving back to the Islands. She attended Cannon's Business College and graduated as a clerk/bookkeeper from the Dale Carnegie Correspondence School. She worked at Central Pacific Bank and Hawaii National Bank. Years later, she then went on to Kapiolani Community College where she took up Nursing Education. She eventually earned a Liberal Arts Degree and an LPN License. She worked full time at Kapiolani Hospital for Women and Children in the maternity and pediatric wards. Maria had many charitable endeavors and support for her community group affiliations. She has enhanced and contributed to the lives of many Filipino families in Hawaii and the Philippines. Maria is the recipient of many accolades, among them are: Entrepreneurs of the Year, Business Woman of the Year, Hawaii's Top 50 Small Business of the Year, Advocate of the Year, State Legislature and City Award of Recognition, 2017 Small Business Award and Parents of the Year. She is a resolute community leader having been President of the three largest Filipino organizations here in Hawaii: The United Filipino Council of Hawaii, Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Oahu Filipino Community Council. She served as President of the Filipino Women's Civic Club, Filipino Women's Business Association among many others. Maria served on the Board of Governors of the Fil-Com Centers of Oahu and Kauai Islands. Maria was bestowed the President Elpidio Rivera Quirino Leadership and Humanitarian Award, being the first woman in Hawaii and the Philippines to receive this Bicentennial tribute. The philanthropic pursuits of the Renato and Maria A.F. Etrata Foundation established with her husband, Renato Sr., underwrite endowments to institutions such as the Filipino Community Center, and almost all Filipino-American organizations in Hawaii and the Philippines. Their realities would not be possible without the tireless contributions of time and resources by the Foundation. Maria's commitment to improving the dignity of humanity is a profound force for good in the community. Maria is survived by her loving husband of 62 years Renato Villaruz Etrata Sr. and their children Arlene Etrata (Earnest) Pesqueda, Renato Villaruz (Jayna) Etrata Jr., Ann Marie Etrata (Patrick) Salvador, and Rosemary Etrata (Dennis) Manuel. She has ten grandchildren: Elaine, Brandon, Ryan, Kyle, Kiana, Alyssa, Amanda, Andrew, Nyah, and Noah. She has three great grandchildren: Matthew, Lucas, and Katalina. Please join us in celebrating her life on Friday, August 5, 2022 at Holy Family Church located at 830 Main Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. Viewing will be from 5:00-6:00 pm followed by services. On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Holy Family Church there will be a viewing from 9:30-10:45 am. Catholic Mass will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park and Cemetery located at 47-200 Kahekili Hwy. Kaneohe, Hawaii at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow at the Main Chapel.Arrangements Provided By:
Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
