Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income for common stock	$ 44,128	$ 35,018	$ 76,480	$ 66,884
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities:
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities arising during the period, net of (taxes) benefits of ($1,925), $2,439, ($6,830) and $161 for the respective periods	2,916	(3,694)	10,344	(243)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net income, net of taxes of $238, nil, $238 and nil for the respective periods	360	0	360	0
Derivatives qualified as cash flow hedges:
Effective portion of foreign currency hedge net unrealized gains (losses), net of (taxes) benefits of $475, nil, ($163) and nil for the respective periods	(745)	0	257	0
Less: reclassification adjustment to net income, net of tax benefits of nil, $38, $35 and $75 for the respective periods	0	59	54	118
Retirement benefit plans:
Less: amortization of prior service credit and net losses recognized during the period in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax benefits of $2,362, $3,691, $4,619 and $7,177 for the respective periods	3,698	5,780	7,236	11,239
Less: reclassification adjustment for impact of D&Os of the PUC included in regulatory assets, net of taxes of $2,166, $3,359, $4,218 and $6,486 for the respective periods	(3,401)	(5,272)	(6,623)	(10,183)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	2,108	(3,127)	10,908	931
Comprehensive income attributable to Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.	$ 46,236	$ 31,891	$ 87,388	$ 67,815