He managed a spare by solidly striking the lone 10th pin in the far right corner, turned, and received congratulations from his teammates and friends.

Then, 91-year-old Dan Harimoto took a seat, and said with a smile, "I need to exercise to let my body know I'm still alive."

Harimoto is one of hundreds of bowlers over 55 who have found a way to combine physical activity and a social life by joining bowling leagues run specifically for people in their age range.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, Waialae Bowl in Kahala has been filled with the sound of pins falling, knocked down by bowlers looking for an activity that is not too taxing on their bodies, but requires skill that would impress their children and grandchildren.

Harimoto, of Kahala, has an average of 145 — down from 183 before he took a 25-year break from bowling — and has been bowling every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the past two years.

"I tried to pick up golf, but it got to a point where I didn't feel like driving by myself to the golf course," Harimoto said. "It was too dangerous. But I still needed the exercise, so I came back here."

Frank Yamamoto, the president and CEO of Waialae Bowl, said the "Senior Citizen Bowling League" started in 1978 with 50 bowlers, and has since expanded to more leagues with more than 500 bowlers.

The leagues run year-round, with two six-month seasons, and Yamamoto said it is up to each league to admit bowlers after the season has started. The current season runs from November to May.

The leagues charge a nominal fee to cover costs, and Waialae Bowl charges $2.50 for each session. Players are put into five-person teams and compete against each other.

Waialae Bowl offers bowling balls, but Yamamoto said most people purchase their own balls, to get them to fit their hands properly, because "holes are very important for delivery." While most bowling balls average about 16 pounds, Yamamoto said the senior bowlers usually use balls that are 6 to 8 pounds. Most sporting goods stores sell bowling balls.

Although the players are competitive, "most people come here for social reasons," Yamamoto said. "They want to meet other senior citizens."

Some intently watch the monitors above the lanes, checking the scores of their teammates and opponents. Others, busy socializing, need to be reminded it is their turn to bowl.

Kaimuki's Ann Kasashima, 75, is one of the bowlers who enjoys the leagues because of the friendships she's made.

"I always liked to bowl, so when I retired, I thought I might as well do it now, while I have the time," said Kasashima, a retired University of Hawai'i custodian. She has been bowling for about 15 years, and has a 144 average.

She bowls twice a week, and said it has sparked a competitive fire in her she didn't know she had.

"In a sense, there's a reason to get up in the morning and get dressed," Kasashima said. "It's fun, because it's competition and you always want to win. When I started, it was fun trying to win a game."

Dave Fujita, 81, of Kapahulu, used to bowl when he was in his 20s, and picked it up again after he retired from the Board of Water Supply. He has been bowling in senior leagues for 20 years, and has an average of 160.

"It's good because you're seeing all your old friends," he said. "Right now, since I retired, it's for recreation, for fun."

For more information, call Waialae Bowl at 734-0293.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.