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Retirement benefits - Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations and Fair Value of Plan Assets and Amounts Recognized in OCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans liability				$ (599,726)	$ (552,974)
Pension benefits
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, balance at the beginning of the period	$ 1,798,030	$ 1,847,228
Service cost	60,555	66,260	$ 49,264
Interest cost	81,549	76,960	72,202
Actuarial losses (gains)	67,741	(124,239)
Participants contributions	0	0
Benefits paid and expenses	(72,381)	(68,179)
Benefit obligation, balance at the end of the period	1,935,494	1,798,030	1,847,228
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the beginning of the period	1,271,474	1,266,060
Actual return on plan assets	103,836	(14,422)
Employer contributions	65,463	86,802
Participants contributions	0	0
Benefits paid and expenses	(71,072)	(66,966)
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the end of the period	1,369,701	1,271,474	1,266,060
Accrued benefit asset (liability), balance				(565,793)	(526,556)
Other assets				13,477	12,509
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans liability				(579,270)	(539,065)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at beginning of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	581,763	639,831
Recognized during year - prior service credit (cost)	57	(4)
Recognized during year - net actuarial losses	(24,832)	(36,800)
Occurring during year - net actuarial losses (gains)	62,463	(21,264)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	619,451	581,763	639,831
Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os				(576,933)	(538,784)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period				42,518	42,979
Net actuarial loss (gain)				619,582	581,951
Prior service gain				(131)	(188)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	581,763	639,831	639,831	619,451	581,763
Income taxes				(16,746)	(16,944)
AOCI debit/(credit), net of taxes (benefits) balance at the end of the period				25,772	26,035
Pension benefits | Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, balance at the beginning of the period	1,649,690	1,690,777
Service cost	58,796	64,262	47,597
Interest cost	74,808	70,529	65,979
Actuarial losses (gains)	63,121	(114,286)
Participants contributions	0	0
Benefits paid and expenses	(66,789)	(63,037)
Transfers	0	1,445
Benefit obligation, balance at the end of the period	1,779,626	1,649,690	1,690,777
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the beginning of the period	1,141,833	1,129,005
Actual return on plan assets	93,441	(10,646)
Employer contributions	64,236	85,139
Participants contributions	0	0
Benefits paid and expenses	(66,326)	(62,584)
Other	0	919
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the end of the period	1,233,184	1,141,833	1,129,005
Accrued benefit asset (liability), balance				(546,442)	(507,857)
Other liabilities (short-term)				(460)	(425)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans liability				(545,982)	(507,432)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at beginning of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	541,118	595,103
Recognized during year - prior service credit (cost)	(13)	(40)
Recognized during year - net actuarial losses	(22,693)	(33,371)
Occurring during year - net actuarial losses (gains)	61,313	(20,574)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	579,725	541,118	595,103
Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os				(576,933)	(538,784)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period				2,792	2,334
Net actuarial loss (gain)				579,691	541,071
Prior service gain				34	47
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	541,118	595,103	595,103	579,725	541,118
Income taxes				(1,087)	(908)
AOCI debit/(credit), net of taxes (benefits) balance at the end of the period				1,705	1,426
Other benefits
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, balance at the beginning of the period	221,540	219,209
Service cost	3,331	3,927	3,490
Interest cost	9,670	9,011	8,550
Actuarial losses (gains)	7,831	(2,911)
Participants contributions	1,405	1,274
Benefits paid and expenses	(9,942)	(8,970)
Benefit obligation, balance at the end of the period	233,835	221,540	219,209
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the beginning of the period	170,687	180,332
Actual return on plan assets	11,352	(2,866)
Employer contributions	42	917
Participants contributions	1,405	1,274
Benefits paid and expenses	(9,235)	(8,970)
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the end of the period	174,251	170,687	180,332
Accrued benefit asset (liability), balance				(59,584)	(50,853)
Other assets				0	0
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans liability				(59,584)	(50,853)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at beginning of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	32,550	20,933
Recognized during year - prior service credit (cost)	1,793	1,793
Recognized during year - net actuarial losses	(804)	(1,796)
Occurring during year - net actuarial losses (gains)	8,751	11,620
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	42,290	32,550	20,933
Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os				(43,974)	(35,333)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period				(1,684)	(2,783)
Net actuarial loss (gain)				52,792	44,845
Prior service gain				(10,502)	(12,295)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	32,550	20,933	20,933	42,290	32,550
Income taxes				656	1,084
AOCI debit/(credit), net of taxes (benefits) balance at the end of the period				(1,028)	(1,699)
Other benefits | Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, balance at the beginning of the period	213,990	211,760
Service cost	3,284	3,870	3,392
Interest cost	9,337	8,700	8,234
Actuarial losses (gains)	7,545	(2,860)
Participants contributions	1,389	1,260
Benefits paid and expenses	(9,822)	(8,858)
Transfers	0	118
Benefit obligation, balance at the end of the period	225,723	213,990	211,760
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the beginning of the period	167,930	177,256
Actual return on plan assets	11,168	(2,712)
Employer contributions	11	864
Participants contributions	1,389	1,260
Benefits paid and expenses	(9,115)	(8,858)
Other	0	120
Fair value of plan assets, balance at the end of the period	171,383	167,930	177,256
Accrued benefit asset (liability), balance				(54,340)	(46,060)
Other liabilities (short-term)				(596)	(518)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans liability				(53,744)	(45,542)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at beginning of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	31,485	20,090
Recognized during year - prior service credit (cost)	1,803	1,804
Recognized during year - net actuarial losses	(793)	(1,754)
Occurring during year - net actuarial losses (gains)	8,472	11,345
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	40,967	31,485	20,090
Cumulative impact of PUC D&Os				(43,974)	(35,333)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period				(3,007)	(3,848)
Net actuarial loss (gain)				51,463	43,784
Prior service gain				(10,496)	(12,299)
AOCI debit/(credit), balance at end of the period (excluding impact of PUC D&Os)	$ 31,485	$ 20,090	$ 20,090	40,967	31,485
Income taxes				1,170	1,497
AOCI debit/(credit), net of taxes (benefits) balance at the end of the period				$ (1,837)	$ (2,351)

X

- Definition

Represents the beginning and ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive income related to retirement benefit plans, excluding the impact of public utilities commission decision and orders.

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Tax effects to accumulated other comprehensive income related to benefit plans. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance.

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The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment and other expenses. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services. This item represents a periodic decrease to the plan obligations.

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The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment and other expenses. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services. This item represents a periodic decrease to the plan obligations and a decrease to plan assets.

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Defined Benefit Plan, Transfers Of Employees Between Entities

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Represents the accumulated other comprehensive income which has been impacted by public utilities commission decision and orders.

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The total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

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The pretax total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

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The pretax net amount of gains and losses that are not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, and that are recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income as they arise. Gains and losses are due to changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.

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Amount related to the pretax cost of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation, which has not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

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The difference between fair value of plan assets at the end of the period and the fair value at the beginning of the period, adjusted for contributions and payments of benefits during the period, and after adjusting for taxes and other expenses, as applicable.

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Amount of gain (loss) related to change in benefit obligation resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, for example, but not limited to, interest, mortality, employee turnover, salary, and temporary deviation from the substantive plan.

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The aggregate net amount recognized in the balance sheet associated with the defined benefit plan(s). Will normally be the same as the Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan, Total.

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This represents the entire assets recognized in the balance sheet that are associated with the defined benefit plans.

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1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

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

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Amount of contributions made by the employer to defined benefit plans.

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