Mortgage Servicing Rights (Fair value method rollforward) (Details 2) - Mortgage Servicing Rights - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Change in fair value of the mortgage servicing rights accounted for under the fair value measurement method
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 1,655	$ 1,970	$ 2,604
Changes in Fair Value:
Due to Change in Valuation Assumptions	0	0	(251)
Due to Payoffs	(201)	(315)	(383)
Total Changes in Fair Value of Mortgage Servicing Rights	(201)	(315)	(634)
Balance at End of Year	$ 1,454	$ 1,655	$ 1,970

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	boh_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of an asset representing net future revenue from contractually specified servicing fees, late charges, and other ancillary revenues, in excess of future costs related to servicing arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68078379&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

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

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in fair value from changes in the inputs, assumptions, or model used to calculate the fair value of the contract to service financial assets under which the benefits of servicing are expected to more than adequately compensate the servicer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(4)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68078379&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueChangesInFairValueResultingFromChangesInValuationInputsOrChangesInAssumptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) from changes in fair value classified as other for a contract to service financial assets under which the benefits of servicing are expected to more than adequately compensate the servicer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(4)(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68078379&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the fair value of servicing assets that are subsequently measured at fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68078379&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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