-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 v2iUkq4ffYDOG7WWXgqf3Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000046195-03-000017.txt : 20030717
<SEC-HEADER>0000046195-03-000017.hdr.sgml : 20030717
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030717172731
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000046195-03-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030715
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030717

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TANABE BARBARA J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001204676

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06887
		FILM NUMBER:		03791842

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		130 MERCHANT ST 22ND FLR
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96813

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BANK OF HAWAII CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000046195
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				990148992
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		130 MERCHANT ST
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96813-
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8886433888

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		130 MERCHANT ST
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96846

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PACIFIC CENTURY FINANCIAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970430

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BANCORP HAWAII INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HAWAII BANCORPORATION INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19800128
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-15</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000046195</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BANK OF HAWAII CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BOH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001204676</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TANABE BARBARA J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Direc. Deferred Comp Plan - BOHC Fund</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>0</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-15</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>43</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>34.618</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>43</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2022</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Investment election by reporting person to acquire Bank of Hawaii Corporation stock under the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan restated January 1, 1996 and amended September 1, 1996.  Distributions to be made at termination of service as a Director.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Between April 1 and June 30, shares were acquired with reinvested dividends pursuant to the Bank of Hawaii Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Terry T. Sasamura for Barbara J. Tanabe</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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