Bank segment - Components of investment securities (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) issue	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) issue
Available-for-sale
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	$ 2,444,267	$ 2,574,618
Held-to-maturity
Amortized cost	513,767	522,270
Held-to-maturity investment securities	440,023
American Savings Bank (ASB)
Available-for-sale
Amortized cost	2,773,905	2,618,384
Gross unrealized gains	467	7,969
Gross unrealized losses	(330,105)	(51,735)
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	$ 2,444,267	$ 2,574,618
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	202	125
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 1,553,863	$ 1,902,850
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, amount	$ (166,155)	$ (38,850)
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	66	18
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 845,879	$ 271,012
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more, amount	(163,950)	(12,885)
Held-to-maturity
Amortized cost	513,767	522,270
Gross unrealized gains	0	1,648
Gross unrealized losses	(73,744)	(13,444)
Held-to-maturity investment securities	$ 440,023	$ 510,474
Less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	27	24
Less than 12 months, fair value	$ 290,803	$ 330,477
Less than 12 months, amount	$ (41,864)	$ (7,835)
12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	13	7
12 months or longer: fair value	$ 149,220	$ 106,483
12 months or longer, amount	(31,880)	(5,609)
U.S. Treasury and federal agency obligations \| American Savings Bank (ASB)
Available-for-sale
Amortized cost	107,389	89,714
Gross unrealized gains	0	803
Gross unrealized losses	(4,902)	(427)
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	$ 102,487	$ 90,090
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	17	4
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 102,487	$ 44,827
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, amount	$ (4,902)	$ (427)
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	0	0
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more, amount	0	0
Held-to-maturity
Amortized cost	59,882	59,871
Gross unrealized gains	0	168
Gross unrealized losses	(5,997)	(170)
Held-to-maturity investment securities	$ 53,885	$ 59,869
Less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	3	2
Less than 12 months, fair value	$ 53,885	$ 39,594
Less than 12 months, amount	$ (5,997)	$ (170)
12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	0	0
12 months or longer: fair value	$ 0	$ 0
12 months or longer, amount	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities \| American Savings Bank (ASB)
Available-for-sale
Amortized cost	2,606,904	2,482,618
Gross unrealized gains	467	6,511
Gross unrealized losses	(322,185)	(51,206)
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	$ 2,285,186	$ 2,437,923
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	180	120
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 1,409,947	$ 1,845,243
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, amount	$ (158,235)	$ (38,321)
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	66	18
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 845,879	$ 271,012
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more, amount	(163,950)	(12,885)
Held-to-maturity
Amortized cost	453,885	462,399
Gross unrealized gains	0	1,480
Gross unrealized losses	(67,747)	(13,274)
Held-to-maturity investment securities	$ 386,138	$ 450,605
Less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	24	22
Less than 12 months, fair value	$ 236,918	$ 290,883
Less than 12 months, amount	$ (35,867)	$ (7,665)
12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	13	7
12 months or longer: fair value	$ 149,220	$ 106,483
12 months or longer, amount	(31,880)	(5,609)
Corporate bonds \| American Savings Bank (ASB)
Available-for-sale
Amortized cost	44,447	30,625
Gross unrealized gains	0	655
Gross unrealized losses	(3,018)	(102)
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	$ 41,429	$ 31,178
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	5	1
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 41,429	$ 12,780
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, amount	$ (3,018)	$ (102)
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	0	0
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more, amount	0	0
Mortgage revenue bonds \| American Savings Bank (ASB)
Available-for-sale
Amortized cost	15,165	15,427
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value	$ 15,165	$ 15,427
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, number of issues \| issue	0	0
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Gross unrealized losses, less than 12 months, amount	$ 0	$ 0
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, number of issues \| issue	0	0
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more, amount	$ 0	$ 0

Held-To-Maturity Securities, Less Than 12 Months, Number Of Issues

No definition available.

Name:	he_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesLessThan12MonthsNumberOfIssues
Namespace Prefix:	he_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Held-To-Maturity Securities, More Than 12 Months, Number Of Issues

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	he_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesMoreThan12MonthsNumberOfIssues
Namespace Prefix:	he_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before tax, of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27161-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before tax, of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27161-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest, after allowance for credit loss, of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124258926&loc=SL82898722-210454

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAmortizedCostExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124269663&loc=SL82922890-210455

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27337-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121590138&loc=SL82922954-210456

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of investments in debt securities measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer, without an allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124269663&loc=SL82922888-210455

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27337-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124269663&loc=SL82922890-210455

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121590138&loc=SL82922954-210456

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of investments in debt securities measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months, without an allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount excluding accrued interest, of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleExcludingAccruedInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in unrealized loss position, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27290-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124269663&loc=SL82922888-210455

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount excluding accrued interest, after allowance for credit loss, of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27232-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27232-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255206&loc=SL82895884-210446

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrecognized gain on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGain
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesClassifiedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous loss position for 12 months or longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27337-111563

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27290-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous loss position for less than 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27290-111563

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27337-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (aa)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=d3e27232-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(6))
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126897435&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5A
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126970911&loc=SL120269820-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=he_AmericanSavingsBankFSBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: