Bank segment (HEI only) - Capital And Ratio (Details) - American Savings Bank (ASB) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Tier 1 leverage, actual capital	$ 641,547	$ 606,291
Tier 1 leverage, actual ratio	9.06%	8.70%
Tier 1 leverage, required capital	$ 283,122	$ 278,811
Tier 1 leverage, required ratio	4.00%	4.00%
Tier 1 leverage, required to be well capitalized capital	$ 353,903	$ 348,514
Tier 1 leverage, required to be well capitalized ratio	5.00%	5.00%
Common equity tier 1, actual capital	$ 641,547	$ 606,291
Common equity tier 1, actual ratio	13.18%	12.80%
Common equity tier 1, required capital	$ 219,071	$ 213,190
Common equity tier 1, required ratio	4.50%	4.50%
Common equity tier 1, required to be well capitalized, Capital	$ 316,435	$ 307,941
Common equity tier 1, required to be well capitalized, Ratio	6.50%	6.50%
Tier 1 capital, actual capital	$ 641,547	$ 606,291
Tier 1 capital, actual ratio	13.18%	12.80%
Tier 1 capital, required capital	$ 292,094	$ 284,253
Tier 1 capital, required ratio	6.00%	6.00%
Tier 1 capital, Required to be well capitalized, Capital	$ 389,459	$ 379,004
Tier 1 capital, Required to be well capitalized, Ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Total capital, Actual capital	$ 696,643	$ 660,151
Total capital, Actual ratio	14.31%	13.93%
Total capital, Required capital	$ 389,459	$ 379,004
Total capital, Required ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Total capital, Required to be well capitalized, Capital	$ 486,823	$ 473,755
Total capital, Required to be well capitalized, Ratio	10.00%	10.00%

Common Equity Tier One Required To Be Well Caplitalized To Risk Weighted Assets

No definition available.

Name:	he_CommonEquityTierOneRequiredToBeWellCaplitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	he_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Common Equity Tier One Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	he_CommonEquityTierOneRequiredforCapitalAdequacytoAverageAssets
Namespace Prefix:	he_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Common Equity Tier One To Average Assets

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	he_CommonEquityTierOneToAverageAssets
Namespace Prefix:	he_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of total capital as defined in the regulations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 948
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47304-110998

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1H
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=d3e65071-112826

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 948
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47080-110998

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1H
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=d3e65071-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Capital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Total Capital required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacy
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum Total risk based capital ratio (total capital divided by risk weighted assets) required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958568-112826

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958570-112826

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1H
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=d3e65071-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of Total Capital required to be categorized as well as capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958568-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The Total risk based capital ratio (total capital divided by risk weighted assets) required to be categorized as "well capitalized", in the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total Capital divided by risk weighted assets as defined in the regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of Common Equity Tier One Risk-based Capital, as defined by regulatory framework.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958568-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-based Capital required to be categorized as adequately capitalized under regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacy
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-based Capital required to be categorized as well-capitalized under regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Tier 1 Leverage Capital as defined in the regulations. Also called Core Capital.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Tier 1 Leverage Capital required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacy
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Tier 1 Leverage Capital for capital adequacy purposes divided by average assets as defined in the regulations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1H
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=d3e65071-112826

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958570-112826

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958568-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of Tier 1 Leverage Capital required to be categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of Tier 1 Leverage Capital required to be categorized as well capitalized divided by average assets as defined in the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Tier 1 Leverage Capital divided by average assets as defined in the regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalToAverageAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Tier 1 Risk Based Capital as defined in the regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapital
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount of Tier 1 Risk Based Capital required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacy
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum Tier One Capital Ratio (Tier one capital divided by risk-weighted assets) required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958570-112826

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=SL5958568-112826

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1H
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337116&loc=d3e65071-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of Tier 1 Risk Based Capital required to be categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The Tier 1 capital ratio (Tier 1 capital divided by risk weighted assets) required to be categorized as "well capitalized" under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Tier 1 capital divided by risk weighted assets as defined by regulations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalToRiskWeightedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=he_AmericanSavingsBankFSBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: