Represents the number of periodic payments of the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	matx_DebtInstrumentNumberOfPeriodicPayment
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the actual consolidated interest coverage ration used to determine compliance with the financial covenant of the line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_LineOfCreditFacilityConsolidatedInterestCoverageRatioCompliance
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the principal amount of other debt, which is not Title XI priority debt as a percentage of consolidated tangible assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantPrincipalAmountOfOtherPriorityDebtAsPercentageOfConsolidatedTangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the actual amount of principal amount of priority debt as a percentage of consolidated tangible assets used to determine compliance with the financial covenant of the line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_LineOfCreditFacilityDebtAsPercentageOfAssetsCompliance
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the option to increase the revolving credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_LineOfCreditFacilityOptionToIncrease
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the actual ratio used to determine compliance with the ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA financial covenant of the line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_LineOfCreditFacilityRatioOfDebtToConsolidatedEbitdaCompliance
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the weighted average period of the tranches of unsecured long-term debt in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_LongtermDebtWeightedAveragePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of tranches in which the unsecured long-term debt funded.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_UnsecuredLongTermDebtNumberOfTranches
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the total principal payments made during the annual reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of assets pledged to secure a debt instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

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

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=matx_StandbyAndCommercialLettersOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=matx_SwingLineLoansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=matx_NotesPayable4.79SeriesBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=matx_SecuredBondsPayable5.27PercentThrough2029Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=matx_SecuredBondsPayable5.34PercentThrough2028Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=matx_SeniorUnsecuredLongTermDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=matx_UnsecuredDebtTrancheMaturing2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Period Type:

- Details

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Period Type:

DEBT (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
DEBT (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2014	May 31, 2005	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2003	Aug. 31, 2004
Debt
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 6,000,000
Extinguishment of debt	63,800,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount	68,200,000us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding							24,000,000
Debt instrument term				5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity			375,000,000	375,000,000
Uncommitted option to increase credit facility			75,000,000	75,000,000
Extinguishment of debt			72,000,000
Used portion of credit facility	6,000,000	5,800,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Debt
Ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest expense	0.0350
Credit facility commitment fee percentage	0.15%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt
Variable rate margin	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum \| Base rate
Debt
Variable rate margin	0.00%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum
Debt
Debt covenant, required ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA	0.0325
Debt covenant, required principal amount of priority debt as a percentage of consolidated tangible assets	20.00%
Debt covenant, required principal amount of priority debt (excluding Title XI) as a percentage of consolidated tangible assets	10.00%
Credit facility commitment fee percentage	0.40%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt
Variable rate margin	2.25%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum \| Base rate
Debt
Variable rate margin	1.25%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Alexander & Baldwin
Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity								125,000,000
Standby and commercial letters of credit
Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			100	100
Standby and commercial letters of credit \| Minimum
Debt
Line of credit fees percentage	1.00%
Standby and commercial letters of credit \| Maximum
Debt
Line of credit fees percentage	2.25%
Swing Line Loans [Member]
Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			50,000,000	50,000,000
Secured Bonds Payable5.34 Percent Through2028
Debt
Debt issued									55,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.34%	5.34%							5.34%
Number of semi-annual payments	50
Semi-annual payments	1,100,000
Secured Bonds Payable5.27 Percent Through2029
Debt
Debt issued										55,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.27%	5.27%								5.27%
Number of semi-annual payments	50
Semi-annual payments	1,100,000
Senior Unsecured Long Term Debt
Debt
Debt issued					100,000,000
Debt instrument term					30 years
Weighted average period	14 years 6 months
Interest rate (as a percent)					4.35%
Senior Unsecured Long Term Debt \| Debt Instrument Redemption 2021
Debt
Annual principal payments					5,000,000
Senior Unsecured Long Term Debt \| Debt Instrument Redemption 2022 and 2023
Debt
Annual principal payments					7,500,000
Senior Unsecured Long Term Debt \| Debt Instrument Redemption 2024 to 2027
Debt
Annual principal payments					10,000,000
Senior Unsecured Long Term Debt \| Debt Instrument Redemption 2028
Debt
Annual principal payments					8,000,000
Senior Unsecured Long Term Debt \| Debt Instrument Redemption 2029 and thereafter until 2044
Debt
Annual principal payments					2,000,000
Unsecured debt
Debt
Debt issued			170,000,000	170,000,000
Weighted average coupon rate (as a percent)			3.97%	3.97%
Weighted average period				9 years 2 months 12 days
Number of tranches			3	3
Unsecured debt \| 2015 through 2016
Debt
Semi-annual payments				4,600,000
Unsecured debt \| 2017 through mid-year 2023
Debt
Semi-annual payments				8,400,000
Unsecured debt \| Mid-year 2023 through mid-year 2027
Debt
Semi-annual payments				3,800,000
Unsecured debt \| After mid-year 2027
Debt
Semi-annual payments				1,200,000
Unsecured debt, tranche maturing in 2023
Debt
Debt issued			77,500,000	77,500,000
Interest rate (as a percent)			3.66%	3.66%
Unsecured debt, tranche maturing in 2027
Debt
Debt issued			55,000,000	55,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)			4.16%	4.16%
Unsecured debt, tranche maturing in 2032
Debt
Debt issued			37,500,000	37,500,000
Interest rate (as a percent)			4.31%	4.31%
Notes Payable4.79 Series B [Member]
Debt
Debt issued						105,000,000
Debt instrument term						15 years
Interest rate (as a percent)			5.79%	5.79%		4.79%
Annual principal payments						3,500,000
Release of MV Manulani as security for debt			$ (56,000,000)	$ (56,000,000)