Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income
Net income for common stock	$ 138,658	$ 138,230	$ 113,535
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities arising during the period, net of (taxes) benefits of ($631), ($4,343) and $789 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	956	6,578	(1,196)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net income, net of taxes of $53, $148 and nil for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	(81)	(224)
Derivatives qualified as cash flow hedges:
Net unrealized holding losses arising during the period, net of tax benefits of nil, $4 and $745 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively		(8)	(1,169)
Less: reclassification adjustment to net income, net of tax benefits of $150, $115 and nil for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	236	181
Retirement benefit plans:
Prior service credit arising during the period, net of taxes of nil, $4,422 and $3,001 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively		6,943	4,712
Net losses arising during the period, net of tax benefits of $63,303, $83,147 and $28,431 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	(99,159)	(130,191)	(44,626)
Less: amortization of transition obligation, prior service credit and net losses recognized during the period in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax benefits of $9,764, $5,976 and $2,566 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	15,291	9,364	4,030
Less: reclassification adjustment for impact of D&Os of the PUC included in regulatory assets, net of taxes of $48,299, $64,134 and $21,336 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively	75,471	100,692	33,499
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefits	(7,286)	(6,665)	(4,750)
Comprehensive income attributable to Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.	$ 131,372	$ 131,565	$ 108,785