<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-06-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000701347</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTRAL PACIFIC FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CPF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001321231</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Yonamine Paul K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O HOKU SCIENTIFIC, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2153 NORTH KING STREET, SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HONOLULU</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>HI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>96819</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Stacey Rocha, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Yonamine</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-07-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
