Bank segment (HEI only) - Deposit Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Weighted-average stated rate
Savings (as a percent)	0.07%	0.07%
Other checking, interest bearing (as a percent)	0.02%	0.02%
Money market (as a percent)	0.12%	0.13%
Term certificates (as a percent)	1.00%	0.93%
Total weighted-average stated rate (as a percent)	0.15%	0.12%
Deposit liabilities
Savings	$ 2,208,594	$ 2,030,644
Other checking
Interest-bearing	890,633	831,143
Noninterest-bearing	817,867	746,875
Commercial checking	821,184	773,499
Money market	153,126	167,641
Term certificates	657,525	475,452
Total Amount	5,548,929	5,025,254
Certificate accounts of $100,000 or more	328,100	163,200
Term certificates outstanding, scheduled maturities
2017	322,661
2018	70,611
2019	105,478
2020	81,818
2021	73,686
Thereafter	3,271
Total	657,525
Interest expense on deposit liabilities by type of deposit
Term certificates	5,390	3,747	$ 3,603
Savings	1,402	1,257	1,134
Money market	202	205	214
Interest-bearing checking	173	139	126
Interest expense on deposit liabilities	$ 7,167	$ 5,348	$ 5,077