Bank segment (HEI only) Balance Sheets Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 175,542	$ 220,036	$ 219,662	$ 270,265
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	550,394	529,007
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, at cost	69,302	92,546
Allowance for loan losses	(45,618)	(40,116)
Total loans, net	4,389,033	4,110,113
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value	8,424	5,302
Total other assets	541,542	512,627
Goodwill	82,190	82,190
Total assets	11,184,161	10,340,044
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other	531,230	524,224
Total liabilities	9,358,440	8,578,681
Commitments and contingencies (see “Litigation” below)
Retained earnings	297,509	255,694
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	462	(3,663)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(27,378)	(16,750)	(26,423)	(19,137)
Total shareholders' equity	1,791,428	1,727,070	1,593,865	1,528,706
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	11,184,161	10,340,044
Other assets
Total property, plant and equipment, net	4,148,774	3,865,514
Total other assets	541,542	512,627
Other liabilities
Total other liabilities	531,230	524,224
American Savings Bank (ASB)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	107,233	108,998
Interest-bearing deposits	54,230	47,605
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	550,394	529,007
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, at cost	69,302	92,546
Loans receivable held for investment	4,434,651	4,150,229
Allowance for loan losses	(45,618)	(40,116)
Total loans, net	4,389,033	4,110,113
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value	8,424	5,302
Total other assets	304,435	268,063
Goodwill	82,190	82,190
Total assets	5,565,241	5,243,824
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposit liabilities-noninterest-bearing	1,342,794	1,214,418
Deposit liabilities-interest-bearing	3,280,621	3,158,059
Other borrowings	290,656	244,514
Other	116,527	105,679
Total liabilities	5,030,598	4,722,670
Common stock	1	1
Additional paid in capital	338,411	336,053
Retained earnings	212,789	197,297
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	462	(3,663)
Retirement benefit plans	(17,020)	(8,534)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(16,558)	(12,197)
Total shareholders' equity	534,643	521,154
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	5,565,241	5,243,824
Other assets
Bank-owned life insurance	134,115	129,963
Total property, plant and equipment, net	92,407	67,766
Prepaid expenses	3,196	3,616
Accrued interest receivable	13,632	13,133
Mortgage-servicing rights	11,540	11,687
Low-income housing equity investments	32,457	14,543
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans, net	891	1,205
Other	16,197	26,150
Total other assets	304,435	268,063
Other liabilities
Accrued expenses	37,880	19,989
Federal and state income taxes payable	26,806	37,807
Cashier's checks	20,509	21,110
Advance payments by borrowers	9,652	9,647
Other	21,680	17,126
Total other liabilities	$ 116,527	$ 105,679