Bank segment (HEI only) Mortgage Servicing Rights and Valuation Allowance Roll Forward (Details) - American Savings Bank (ASB) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 11,687
Ending balance	11,540	$ 11,687
Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR)
Mortgage Servicing Rights [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	11,938	11,316	$ 8,402
Amount capitalized	1,637	2,611	4,845
Amortization	(1,731)	(1,802)	(1,750)
Other-than-temporary impairment	(95)	(187)	(181)
Ending balance	11,749	11,938	11,316
Valuation Allowance [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowance, beginning balance	251	498	175
Provision (recovery)	53	(60)	504
Other-than-temporary impairment	(95)	(187)	(181)
Valuation allowance, ending balance	209	251	498
Net carrying amount	11,540	$ 11,687	$ 10,818
Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expenses of Mortgage Servicing Rights [Abstract]
2015	1,700
2016	1,500
2017	1,300
2018	1,100
2019	$ 1,000