Electric utility subsidiary - Consolidating financial statements (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Balance	$ 1,727,070	$ 1,593,865
Net income for common stock	45,927	33,679
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	1,167	(61)
Common stock dividends	(31,448)	(30,434)
Balance	1,745,928	1,607,265
Hawaiian Electric Company
Balance	1,593,564	1,472,136
Net income for common stock	35,420	24,429
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	9	18
Common stock dividends	(22,707)	(20,070)
Common stock issue expenses	(3)
Balance	1,606,283	1,476,513
HELCO
Balance	274,802	268,908
Net income for common stock	5,161	4,420
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	0	(2)
Common stock dividends	(2,941)	(3,610)
Balance	277,022	269,716
Maui Electric
Balance	248,771	228,927
Net income for common stock	3,756	6,565
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	0	1
Common stock dividends	(3,629)	(3,442)
Common stock issue expenses	(1)
Balance	248,897	232,051
Other subsidiaries
Balance	101	104
Net income for common stock	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	0	0
Balance	101	104
Consolidating adjustments
Balance	(523,674)	(497,939)
Net income for common stock	(8,917)	(10,985)
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	0	1
Common stock dividends	6,570	7,052
Common stock issue expenses	1
Balance	(526,020)	(501,871)
HECO Consolidated
Balance	1,593,564	1,472,136
Net income for common stock	35,420	24,429
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	9	18
Common stock dividends	(22,707)	(20,070)
Common stock issue expenses	(3)
Balance	$ 1,606,283	$ 1,476,513