Cash flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid to non-affiliates	$ 85,000,000	$ 84,000,000	$ 97,000,000
Income taxes paid (refunded)	14,000,000	(14,000,000)	(22,000,000)
Supplemental disclosures of noncash activities
Common stock dividends reinvested in HEI common stock	24,000,000	24,000,000	12,000,000
Increases in common stock related to director and officer compensatory plans	5,000,000	6,000,000	8,000,000
Loans transferred from held for investment to held for sale	25,000,000	0	6,000,000
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans	4,000,000	11,000,000	12,000,000
Electric utility property, plant and equipment
AFUDC-equity	5,561,000	7,007,000	5,964,000
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid to non-affiliates	59,000,000	57,000,000	58,000,000
Income taxes paid (refunded)	(26,000,000)	(3,000,000)	(23,000,000)
Electric utility property, plant and equipment
AFUDC-equity	5,561,000	7,007,000	5,964,000
Estimated fair value of noncash contributions in aid of construction	5,000,000	10,000,000	7,000,000
Unpaid invoices and other	$ 24,000,000	$ 37,000,000	$ 45,000,000