FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD — On May 12, 2022, Manoah Ainuu became the first Samoan to climb to the top of Mt. Everest, with a group calling themselves the All Black Mountain Climbers Team made it atop Mt. Everest — the first all black mountain climbers to summit Mt Everest. The feat was commemorated by placing flags of each person’s country of origin. For Ainuu — he planted three flags — American Samoa (his father is from the Ripley family of Leone), Samoa (Ainuu from Sapapali’i, Savai’i), and Ethiopia (his mother’s homeland).

In an email, Ainuu wrote, “ua manumalo faiva” — the effort has been accomplished, by the group working together. And it is with God’s love that with one heart, they worked together, with no one being faint-hearted — to get the effort done.

Ainu’u said in his email that they were currently in Kathmandu, and would begin the journey home — he is currently looking at May 29 to meeting up with parents, Mr & Mrs Layne Ainuu, at his home in Bozeman, Montana.

Fa’amalo atu le Samoa News ma Amerika Samoa ia Manoah Ainuu ma le aumalaga, aua ua avea o ia ma se avefu’a mo Amerika Samoa i le tumutumu mauga sili ona maualuga i le lalolagi, Mt Everest.