Consolidated Statements of Capitalization (Parenthetical) - HECO (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Common stock, authorized shares	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, outstanding shares	96,038,328	94,690,932
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 6.667	$ 6.667	$ 6.667
Common stock, authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, outstanding shares	14,233,723	13,830,823	13,786,959
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, C-4 1/4% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, D-5% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, E-5% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, H-5 1/4% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, l-5% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, J-4 3/4% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, K-4.65% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Preferred Stock $20 Par Value
Preferred stock, Authorized shares	5,000,000	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 20	$ 20	$ 20
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries \| Preferred Stock $100 Par Value
Preferred stock, Authorized shares	7,000,000	7,000,000	7,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100	$ 100
Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. (HELCO) \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, G-7 5/8% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100
Maui Electric Company, Limited (MECO) \| Cumulative preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption, H-7 5/8% Series
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100

Total number of shares of common stock held by shareholders. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized. These shares represent the ownership interest of the common shareholders. Shares outstanding equals shares issued minus shares held in treasury and other adjustments, if any.

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Face amount or stated value per share of stock classified as temporary equity; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

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- Definition

The maximum number of securities classified as temporary equity that are permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

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