Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income for common stock	$ 34,193	$ 32,352
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities:
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities arising during the period, net of taxes of $148 and $4,905, respectively	223	7,428
Derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges:
Effective portion of foreign currency hedge net unrealized gains arising during the period, net of taxes of nil and $638, respectively	0	1,002
Reclassification adjustment to net income, net of tax benefits of $289 and $35, respectively	454	54
Retirement benefit plans:
Adjustment for amortization of prior service credit and net losses recognized during the period in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax benefits of $2,502 and $2,257, respectively	3,921	3,538
Reclassification adjustment for impact of D&Os of the PUC included in regulatory assets, net of taxes of $2,301 and $2,052, respectively	(3,613)	(3,222)
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	985	8,800
Comprehensive income attributable to Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.	$ 35,178	$ 41,152