Cover page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 17, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-6887
Entity Registrant Name	BANK OF HAWAII CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	99-0148992
Entity Address, Address Line One	130 Merchant Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Honolulu
Entity Address, State or Province	HI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	96813
City Area Code	888
Local Phone Number	643-3888
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	BOH
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 3,288,940,540
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,954,880
Entity Central Index Key	0000046195
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Security Exchange Name	NYSE