Share-based compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share
Tax benefits realized for the tax deductions	$ 100,000	$ 200,000	$ 500,000	$ 400,000
Equity and Incentive Plan (EIP) \| Restricted shares
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units
Cumulative shares granted (in shares)	18,009		18,009
Equity and Incentive Plan (EIP) \| Restricted stock units
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units
Cumulative shares granted (in shares)	162,517		162,517
Restricted shares
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	88,709	120,700	89,709	129,000
Vested (in shares)	(29,800)	(42,000)	(29,800)	(43,565)
Forfeited (in shares)	(1,000)		(2,000)	(6,735)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	57,909	78,700	57,909	78,700
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 24.63	$ 25.48	$ 24.64	$ 25.50
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 26.03	$ 26.30	$ 26.03	$ 26.29
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 24.68		$ 25.02	$ 25.75
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 23.91	$ 25.04	$ 23.91	$ 25.04
Fair value of vested stock (in dollars)	800,000	1,100,000	800,000	1,100,000
Tax benefits realized for the tax deductions			100,000	300,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	400,000		400,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized (in years)	2.6		2.6
Restricted stock units
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	230,517	69,000	146,500	70,500
Granted (in shares)	1,000	77,500	86,017	77,500
Vested (in shares)				(250)
Forfeited (in shares)			(1,000)	(1,250)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	231,517	146,500	231,517	146,500
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 21.69	$ 16.99	$ 19.80	$ 16.99
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 26.25	$ 22.30	$ 24.97	$ 22.30
Vested (in dollars per share)				$ 16.99
Forfeited (in dollars per share)			$ 22.60	$ 16.99
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 21.70	$ 19.80	$ 21.70	$ 19.80
Total weighted-average grant-date fair value	26,000	1,700,000	2,100,000	1,700,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 3,200,000		$ 3,200,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized (in years)	3.0		3.0

Represents the weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect during the reporting period as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event specified in the contractual agreement of the plan or when performance conditions met.

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- Definition

Represents the total weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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- Definition

The number of shares issued under the HEI Executive and Incentive Plan (EIP) as of the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are obligated to be issued upon the obtaining specified criteria by members of the plan as of the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest.

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in number of years.

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- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

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- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(c)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph c(1)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(a)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(b)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(a)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph b(2)(b)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The total fair value of equity-based awards for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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