Parent Company - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 230,178	$ 213,780	$ 216,672
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	3,318	(15,587)	(10,586)
Stock-based compensation	4,507
Change in assets and liabilities:
Net increase in other assets	(49,717)	(79,942)	(89)
Net decrease in other liabilities	(1,787)	528	28,237
Net cash provided by operating activities	219,947	142,603	246,751
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends	(85,797)
Distributions	(361,200)	(164,228)	(192,527)
Net cash provided by financing activities	78,601	1,002,307	747,444
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,598,137)	1,388,742	(547,954)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,650,195	1,261,453	1,809,407
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	1,052,058	2,650,195	1,261,453
First Hawaiian, Inc.
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	230,178	213,780	216,672
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
(Excesss distributions) equity in undistributed income of FHB	239,810	(49,552)	(24,145)
Deferred income taxes	191
Stock-based compensation	55
Change in assets and liabilities:
Net increase in other assets	(18,875)
Net decrease in other liabilities	(8,368)
Net cash provided by operating activities	442,991	164,228	192,527
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends	(85,797)
Distributions	(361,200)	(164,228)	(192,527)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(446,997)	(164,228)	(192,527)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(4,006)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	10,000	10,000	10,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 5,994	$ 10,000	$ 10,000