Gilbert Ane, an experienced waterman and college football player involved in a historic game in Pasadena, died Wednesday at the Avalon Care Center-Honolulu from complications from diabetes, his daughter said. He was 70.

Ane was a member of the Compton (Calif.) Junior College football team that played Jones Junior College of Ellisville, Miss., in the Junior Rose Bowl at Pasadena in 1955. It was the first time a white Mississippi team played football against a team with minorities.

Ane, who was of Hawaiian, Samoan and Chinese descent, was considered "colored" in the South.

That game served as a symbol for mending race relations in Mississippi, and the Compton players were later invited to Mississippi 40 years later as a goodwill gesture by historian and segregationist leader Erle Johnston.

Ane was also involved with traditional Polynesian sailing ships, Hokule'a and Hawai'iloa.

"He loved to laugh, he loved people, he loved his friends," said Ane's daughter, Renee. "He was part of the Voyage of Rediscovery for Hokule'a and coordinator for building Hawai'iloa. He voyaged from 1985 to 1987. He was also the coordinator for the Northwest Run when Hawai'iloa went up to Alaska."

Ane graduated from Punahou in 1955 and later received a tryout with the Chicago Bears. As a Honolulu police officer, Ane served on HPD's Metro Squad. Upon retirement, he worked on his ranch in Waimanalo. Ane also coached high school football at Damien and Kamehameha.

Ane is survived by his brothers, Charles, David and Daniel; daughter, Renee; and best friend, Dr. Franklin Kometani.

Services will be held May 13 at Punahou Chapel; time is pending. Ane's ashes will be scattered at Waimanalo.