SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation and qualifying accounts
Charged to other accounts	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Allowance for uncollectible accounts- electric utility | Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of period	2,329	2,148	2,221
Charged to costs and expenses	1,384	3,812	3,230
Charged to other accounts	1,613	1,943	1,180
Deductions	3,367	5,574	4,483
Balance at end of period	1,959	2,329	2,148
Allowance for uncollectible interest- bank | Bank
Valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of period	1,661	3,166	4,825
Deductions	147	1,505	1,659
Balance at end of period	1,514	1,661	3,166
Allowance for losses for loans receivable – bank | Bank
Valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of period	40,116	41,985	37,906
Charged to costs and expenses	6,126	1,507	12,883
Charged to other accounts	4,926	4,826	4,026
Deductions	5,550	8,202	12,830
Balance at end of period	45,618	40,116	41,985
Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR) | Bank
Valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of period	251	498	175
Charged to costs and expenses	53	0	504
Charged to other accounts	0	(60)	0
Deductions	95	187	181
Balance at end of period	209	251	498
Deferred tax valuation allowance – HEI
Valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of period	278	278	278
Charged to costs and expenses	17	0	0
Charged to other accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	250	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 45	$ 278	$ 278