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Andy Johnson head shot

Andy Johnson

Since taking over as head coach of the University of Hawai’i coed and women’s sailing program in 1990, Andy Johnson transformed what it means to be a member of the team. The former Rainbow Sailor is currently the third-longest tenured head coach all-time at UH with 36 years at the helm and has led the team to two national championships while also being inducted into the ICSA Hall of Fame.
 

Awards/Accolades

  • ICSA Hall of Fame Inductee (2012).
  • PCCSC Richard H. Lough Memorial Service Award (2012)
  • ICSA Campbell Family Award For Lifetime Service (2026)

Coaching Highlights

  • Head coach of University of Hawai‘i Sailing for 36 years; longest-tenured coach in UH Athletics upon his retirement.

     
  • Led teams to two national championships (2001 Women’s and 2004 Coed Dinghy titles.)

     
  • Guided UH to 23 women’s fleet, 20 coed fleet, 13 singlehanded, 12 team race and 6 sloop  national championship appearances.

     
  • Led UH to 21 PCCSC championships.

     
  • Coached 18 All-Americans (35 citations) and four Olympians.

     
  • Coached three Jack Bonham Award winners, UH’s highest student-athlete honor.

     
  • Teams finished top three at the coed fleet nationals in four straight years from 2003–2005.

     
  • Helped expand the program from five sailors to over 20 and established a fully funded women’s team.

     
  • UH hosted multiple national championships under his leadership

     
    • 1992: National Sloop

       
    • 2002: Women’s Dinghy, Team Race, Coed Dinghy

       
    • 2005: Men’s and Women’s Singlehanded

       
  • Assistant to former coach Charley Dole in the mid-1980s before officially becoming head coach in 1990.

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  • Former head sailing instructor at Waikiki Yacht Club (1984–87).


Sailing Experience
  • UH sailing letterwinner (1981–1983).

     
  • Crewed on two-time state Keelboat Championship team (1992 and 1993).

     
  • Three-time state J-24 Champion (1989, 1996, 2005).

     
  • Part of 1990 Kenwood Cup overall championship team.

     
  • Competed in TransPac and Pacific Cup races across the Pacific.

     

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Education, University of Hawai?i at Manoa (1983).

     
  • Professional Diploma in Elementary Education, University of Hawai?i (1988).

     
  • Attended University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1979 and lettered in ice hockey before transferring to UH.

     

Hometown

  • White Bear Lake, Minn.

     

Personal

  • Wife Leslie and daughters Malia and Summer.
  • Enjoys sailing, kitesurfing, surfing, and hiking.
  • Active in the Hawai‘i Yacht Racing Association.
  • Former park ranger at USS Arizona Memorial.