Bank segment (HEI only) - Balance Sheets Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 278,452	$ 300,478	$ 175,542	$ 220,036
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	1,105,182	820,648
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank, at cost	11,218	10,678
Allowance for loan losses	(55,533)	(50,038)
Total loans, net	4,683,160	4,565,781
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value	18,817	4,631
Other	447,621	480,457
Goodwill	82,190	82,190
Total assets	12,425,506	11,782,018	11,177,143
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other	473,512	471,828
Total liabilities	10,324,460	9,820,085
Commitments and contingencies
Retained earnings	438,972	324,766
Net unrealized losses on securities	(7,931)	(1,872)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefits	(33,129)	(26,262)
Total shareholders’ equity	2,066,753	1,927,640	$ 1,790,573	$ 1,726,406
Total capitalization and liabilities	12,425,506	11,782,018
Other assets
Premises and equipment, net	4,603,465	4,377,658
Total other assets	447,621	480,457
Other liabilities
Total other liabilities	473,512	471,828
American Savings Bank (ASB)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	137,083	127,201
Interest-bearing deposits	52,128	93,680
Restricted cash	1,764	0
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	1,105,182	820,648
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank, at cost	11,218	10,678
Loans receivable held for investment	4,738,693	4,615,819
Allowance for loan losses	(55,533)	(50,038)
Total loans, net	4,683,160	4,565,781
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value	18,817	4,631
Other	329,815	309,946
Goodwill	82,190	82,190
Total assets	6,421,357	6,014,755
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposit liabilities-noninterest-bearing	1,639,051	1,520,374
Deposit liabilities-interest-bearing	3,909,878	3,504,880
Other borrowings	192,618	328,582
Other	101,635	101,029
Total liabilities	5,843,182	5,454,865
Commitments and contingencies
Common stock	1	1
Additional paid in capital	342,704	340,496
Retained earnings	257,943	236,664
Net unrealized losses on securities	(7,931)	(1,872)
Retirement benefit plans	(14,542)	(15,399)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefits	(22,473)	(17,271)
Total shareholders’ equity	578,175	559,890
Total capitalization and liabilities	6,421,357	6,014,755
Other assets
Bank-owned life insurance	143,197	138,139
Premises and equipment, net	90,570	88,077
Prepaid expenses	3,348	3,550
Accrued interest receivable	16,824	15,192
Mortgage servicing rights	9,373	8,884
Low-income housing equity investments	47,081	37,793
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans, net	1,189	1,030
Other	18,233	17,281
Total other assets	329,815	309,946
Other liabilities
Accrued expenses	36,754	30,705
Federal and state income taxes payable	4,728	13,448
Cashier's checks	24,156	21,768
Advance payments by borrowers	10,335	10,311
Other	25,662	24,797
Total other liabilities	$ 101,635	$ 101,029