<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000354707-18-000012.txt : 20180202
<SEC-HEADER>0000354707-18-000012.hdr.sgml : 20180202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180202185725
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000354707-18-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Hazelton Gregory C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001647110

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08503
		FILM NUMBER:		18572380

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 NW SECOND AVENUE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97209

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000354707
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				990208097
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			HI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1001 BISHOP STREET, SUITE 2900
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96813
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8085435662

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 730
		CITY:			HONOLULU
		STATE:			HI
		ZIP:			96808-0730
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-01-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000354707</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001647110</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hazelton Gregory C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O P.O. BOX 730</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HONOLULU</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>HI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>96808-0730</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7512</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>31514</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of 7,512 restricted stock units on January 31, 2018.  Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of HEI common stock.  The restricted stock units will vest in annual installments over four years.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This number includes accrued dividend equivalents (as denominated in shares of HE common stock) from October 24, 2016 (first RSU grants in 2016) to date. Dividend equivalents accrue with respect to outstanding RSUs when and as dividends are paid on HE stock.  Accrued dividend equivalents are denominated in HE common stock and paid upon vesting in shares of HE common stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Julio C. Martin, Atty-in-Fact for Gregory C. Hazelton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-02-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
