Hawaiian Telcom Holdco (HCOM) 10-K 12 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 11, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1487986
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$183,223,332
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,685,592
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Income
Operating revenues	$390,739	$391,150	$385,498
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	166,280	163,749	160,226
Selling, general and administrative	115,974	114,875	108,508
Gain on sale of property		-6,546
Depreciation and amortization	78,014	77,301	70,908
Total operating expenses	360,268	349,379	339,642
Operating income	30,471	41,771	45,856
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	-16,496	-18,875	-22,183
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		-3,660	-5,112
Interest income and other	34	34	59
Total other expense	-16,462	-22,501	-27,236
Income before income tax provision (benefit)	14,009	19,270	18,620
Income tax provision (benefit)	5,910	8,782	-91,362
Net income	$8,099	$10,488	$109,982
Net income per common share -
Basic	$0.76	$1.01	$10.74
Diluted	$0.72	$0.95	$10.32
Weighted average shares used to compute net income per common share -
Basic (in shares)	10,591,351	10,337,339	10,242,573
Diluted (in shares)	11,308,051	11,093,931	10,660,647

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income	$8,099	$10,488	$109,982
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax -
Unrealized holding losses arising during period	-4	-24	-3
Retirement plan gain (loss)	-31,124	38,459	11,490
Net tax benefit (cost) on other comprehensive income	11,897	-14,701	17,581
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-19,231	23,734	29,068
Comprehensive income (loss)	($11,132)	$34,222	$139,050

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$39,885	$49,551
Receivables, net	32,662	34,521
Material and supplies	9,337	15,939
Prepaid expenses	3,598	3,724
Deferred income taxes	6,840	8,146
Other current assets	3,481	2,851
Total current assets	95,803	114,732
Property, plant and equipment, net	565,956	524,375
Intangible assets, net	37,328	40,225
Goodwill	12,104	12,104
Deferred income taxes	81,626	75,274
Other assets	9,151	11,305
Total assets	801,968	778,015
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	3,000	3,000
Accounts payable	50,499	40,228
Accrued expenses	19,399	18,787
Advance billings and customer deposits	14,686	16,122
Other current liabilities	6,790	6,412
Total current liabilities	94,374	84,549
Long-term debt	289,423	291,679
Employee benefit obligations	99,366	80,321
Other liabilities	14,271	8,454
Total liabilities	497,434	465,003
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, 245,000,000 shares authorized and 10,673,292 and 10,495,856 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	107	105
Additional paid-in capital	170,521	167,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-23,947	-4,716
Retained earnings	157,853	149,754
Total stockholders' equity	304,534	313,012
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$801,968	$778,015

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	245,000,000	245,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	10,673,292	10,495,856
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,673,292	10,495,856

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$8,099	$10,488	$109,982
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	78,014	77,301	70,908
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		3,660	5,112
Gain on sale of property		-6,546
Employee retirement benefits	-12,078	-13,224	-11,933
Provision for uncollectibles	3,590	3,455	716
Stock based compensation	4,174	2,736	1,872
Deferred income taxes	6,851	9,617	-90,827
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	-1,731	-3,409	-724
Material and supplies	-386	-4,587	-3,161
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-504	456	-1,109
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,882	-6,518	3,255
Advance billings and customer deposits	-1,436	138	424
Other current liabilities	-296	812	269
Other, net	2,224	2,582	1,676
Net cash provided by operating activities	90,403	76,961	86,460
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-96,706	-86,290	-77,713
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		-11,858	-8,343
Proceeds on sale of property		13,118
Proceeds on sale of investments			746
Net cash used in investing activities	-96,706	-85,030	-85,310
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt including premium	-3,000	-303,083	-306,750
Proceeds from borrowing		298,500	295,500
Loan refinancing costs		-3,442	-4,130
Proceeds from installment financing	4,336
Repayments of capital lease and installment financing	-3,179	-542	-582
Taxes paid related to net share settlement on equity awards	-1,520	-806	-258
Net cash used in financing activities	-3,363	-9,373	-16,220
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-9,666	-17,442	-15,070
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	49,551	66,993	82,063
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$39,885	$49,551	$66,993

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$102	$164,328	($57,518)	$29,284	$136,196
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	10,190,526
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock based compensation		1,872			1,872
Exercise of warrant	17				17
Common stock issued for stock compensation plans, net of shares withheld and withholding paid for employee taxes	1	-259			-258
Common stock issued for stock compensation plans, net of shares withheld and withholding paid for employee taxes (in shares)	101,354
Net income				109,982	109,982
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			29,068		29,068
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	103	165,941	-28,450	139,266	276,860
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	10,291,897
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock based compensation		2,736			2,736
Issuance of stock under warrant agreements	1	-1
Exercise of warrant	117,784				117,784
Common stock issued for stock compensation plans, net of shares withheld and withholding paid for employee taxes	1	-807			-806
Common stock issued for stock compensation plans, net of shares withheld and withholding paid for employee taxes (in shares)	86,175
Net income				10,488	10,488
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			23,734		23,734
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	105	167,869	-4,716	149,754	313,012
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	10,495,856
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock based compensation		4,174			4,174
Issuance of stock under warrant agreements	1	-1
Exercise of warrant	73,422				73,422
Common stock issued for stock compensation plans, net of shares withheld and withholding paid for employee taxes	1	-1,521			-1,520
Common stock issued for stock compensation plans, net of shares withheld and withholding paid for employee taxes (in shares)	104,014
Net income				8,099	8,099
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			-19,231		-19,231
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$107	$170,521	($23,947)	$157,853	$304,534
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	10,673,292

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Description of Business
Description of Business	1. Description of Business
	Business Description
	Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is the incumbent local exchange carrier for the State of Hawaii with an integrated telecommunications network. The Company offers a variety of telecommunication services to residential and business customers in Hawaii including local telephone, network access and data transport, long distance, Internet, television and wireless phone service. The Company also provides communications equipment sales and maintenance, data center colocation and network managed services.
	The communication services the Company provides are subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Hawaii (HPUC) with respect to intrastate rates and services and other matters, and the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs with respect to television. Certain agreements with the HPUC limit the amount of dividends and other distributions the Company may pay as well as place restrictions on certain transactions affecting the operations and capital structure of the Company. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) regulates rates that the Company charges long-distance carriers and other end-user subscribers for interstate access services and interstate traffic.
	Organization
	The Company has one direct wholly-owned subsidiary, Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc. which has two direct wholly-owned subsidiaries—Hawaiian Telcom, Inc. and Hawaiian Telcom Services Company, Inc. Hawaiian Telcom, Inc. operates the regulated incumbent local exchange carrier and Hawaiian Telcom Services Company, Inc. operates all other businesses.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and, in the opinion of management, includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), financial position and cash flows for each period presented.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when evidence of an arrangement exists, the earnings process is complete and collectibility is reasonably assured. The prices for most services are filed in tariffs with the regulatory body that exercises jurisdiction over the services.
	Basic local service, enhanced calling features such as caller ID, special access circuits, long-distance flat rate calling plans, most data services, HSI, television, data center colocation and wireless services are billed one month in advance. Revenue for these services is recognized in the month services are rendered. The portion of advance-billed services associated with services that will be delivered in a subsequent period is deferred and recorded as a liability in advance billings and customer deposits.
	Amounts billed to customers for activating wireline service are deferred and recognized over the average customer relationship. The costs associated with activating such services are deferred and recognized as an operating expense over the same period. Costs in excess of revenues are recognized as expense in the period in which activation occurs.
	Revenues for providing usage based services, such as per-minute long-distance service, access charges billed to long-distance companies for originating and terminating long-distance calls on the Company's network and video on demand, are billed in arrears. Revenues for these services are based on actual rated usage and, where necessary, historical usage patterns, and are recognized in the month services are rendered.
	For long-term indefeasible right of use, or IRU, contracts for fiber circuit capacity, the Company may receive up-front payments for services to be delivered for a period of up to 25 years. In these situations, the Company defers the revenue and amortizes it on a straight-line basis to earnings over the term of the contract.
	Universal Service revenues are government-sponsored support received in association with providing service in mostly rural, high-cost areas. These revenues are typically based on information provided by the Company and are calculated by the government agency responsible for administering the support program. These revenues are recognized in the period the service is provided.
	Telecommunication systems and structured cabling project revenues are recognized on a percentage completion basis, generally based on the relative portion of costs incurred to total estimated costs of a project, except for short duration projects which are recognized upon completion of the project. Maintenance services are recorded when the service is provided.
	With respect to arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company determines whether more than one unit of accounting exists in an arrangement. To the extent that the deliverables are separable into multiple units of accounting, total consideration is allocated to the individual units of accounting based on their relative fair value, determined by the price of each deliverable when it is regularly sold on a stand-alone basis. Revenue is recognized for each unit of accounting as delivered or as service is performed depending on the nature of the deliverable comprising the unit of accounting.
	Taxes Collected from Customers
	The Company presents taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a gross basis, including such amounts in the Company's reported operating revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses. Such amounts represent primarily Hawaii state general excise taxes and HPUC fees. Such taxes and fees amounted to $7.5 million, $7.4 million and $7.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and money market accounts with maturities at acquisition of three months or less. The majority of cash balances at December 31, 2014 are held in one bank in demand deposit accounts.
	Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
	Accounts payable included $21.2 million and $14.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for additions to property, plant and equipment.
	Receivables
	The Company recognizes accounts receivable net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company makes estimates of the uncollectibility of its accounts receivable by specifically analyzing accounts receivable and historic bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and changes in its customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. After multiple attempts at collection of delinquent accounts, the balance due is deemed uncollectible and charged against the allowance.
	Material and Supplies
	Material and supplies which consist mainly of cable, supplies and replacement parts, are stated at the lower of cost, determined principally by the average cost method, or net realizable value.
	Property and Depreciation
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation has been calculated using the composite remaining life methodology and straight-line depreciation rates. The composite method depreciates the remaining net investment in telephone plant over remaining economic asset lives by asset category. This method requires periodic review and revision of depreciation rates. The average economic lives utilized for assets are as follows: building—18 to 34 years; cable and wire—11 to 37 years; switching and circuit equipment—6 to 15 years; and other property—4 to 17 years.
	Software
	The Company capitalizes the costs associated with externally acquired software for internal use. Project costs associated with internally developed software are segregated into three project stages: preliminary project stage, application development stage and post-implementation stage. Costs associated with both the preliminary project stage and post-implementation stage are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the application development stage are capitalized. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software is generally amortized on a straight-line method basis over its useful life, not to exceed five years.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized. Such assets are reviewed annually, or more frequently under various conditions, for impairment. The goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step, identifying a potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step will need to be conducted. The second step, measuring the impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Any excess of the reporting unit goodwill carrying value over the respective implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. The Company performs its annual impairment test during the fourth quarter, primarily using a market valuation and discounted cash flows methodology.
	Intangible assets with definite lives, including the value assigned to the customer base, are being amortized over the remaining estimated lives. For customer relationship intangibles, amortization is calculated using a declining balance method in relation to estimated retention lives of acquired customers.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such cases, if the sum of the expected cash flows, undiscounted and without interest, resulting from use of the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized based on the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets.
	Debt Issuance
	Deferred financing costs, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and original issue discount are amortized over the term of the related debt issuance using the effective interest method.
	Income Taxes
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect in the year the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
	Employee Benefit Plans
	Pension and postretirement health and life insurance benefits earned during the year as well as interest on projected benefit obligations are accrued currently. Actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the average remaining expected life of participants deemed inactive.
	Maintenance and Repairs
	The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of replacing minor items not constituting substantial betterments, is charged to expense as these costs are incurred.
	Advertising
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense amounted to $6.1 million, $4.0 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Stock Based Compensation
	The Company measures and recognizes the compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. The fair value of restricted stock units is generally based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of market-based stock awards is estimated using a statistical pricing model as of the date of grant. Because stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted effect of all common shares issued and outstanding, and is calculated by dividing earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing earnings, adjusted for the effect, if any, from assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding, by the weighted average number of common shares used in the basic earnings per share calculation plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. The denominator used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Basic earnings per share—weighted average shares		10,591,351		10,337,339		10,242,573
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee and director restricted stock units		143,787		163,101		112,510
	Warrants		572,913		593,491		305,564
	Diluted earnings per share—weighted average shares		11,308,051		11,093,931		10,660,647
	The computation of weighted average dilutive shares outstanding excluded restricted stock units to acquire 7,511 shares of common stock for the year ended December 31, 2012. The unrecognized compensation on a per unit basis for these restricted stock units was greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock for the period presented. Therefore, the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the restricted stock units excluded were not significant.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new accounting standard which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The new accounting standard will supersede the current revenue recognition requirements and most industry-specific guidance. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017 and either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption is permitted. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard with new guidance on management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosures. Management must evaluate whether it is probable that known conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, would raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If such conditions or events are identified, the standard requires management's mitigation plans to alleviate the doubt or a statement of the substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern to be disclosed in the financial statements. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this accounting standard.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisitions
Acquisitions	3. Acquisitions
	SystemMetrics Corporation
	On September 30, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition for all the voting stock of SystemMetrics Corporation ("SystemMetrics") for $16.3 million in cash, net of cash acquired and purchase price adjustments. Of the total purchase price, $11.9 million was paid at closing of the purchase with the balance subject to an earn-out over a three year period. Payment of the earn-out is contingent on SystemMetrics meeting certain performance metrics and continued employment of the SystemMetrics' key executive. For financial reporting purposes, the earn-out is accounted for as compensation expense as earned. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the earn-out amounted to $1.1 million.
	SystemMetrics provides virtual and physical data center colocation services in the State of Hawaii along with other telecommunication services that are complementary to the Company's operations. Transaction costs amounted to $0.9 million, were primarily professional fees and were recognized as general and administrative expenses as incurred in 2013.
	The Company followed the acquisition method of accounting and allocated the purchase price to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their provisional fair values, which estimates and assumptions were subject to change within the measurement period. The measurement period was considered closed as of June 30, 2014. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values was recorded as goodwill.
	In 2013, subsequent to the measurement date and within the measurement period, the Company obtained new information related to tax basis that allowed for refinements to provisional amounts. The measurement period adjustments did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2013. There were no changes made to the allocation of the purchase price in 2014. The adjustments in 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Recognized		Measurement			Recognized
		as of		Period			as of
		Acquisition		Adjustments			Acquisition
							As Revised
	Assets—
	Property and equipment	$	3,781	$	—		$	3,781
	Intangible assets		4,380		—			4,380
	Goodwill		10,368		159			10,527
	Other assets		643		—			643
			19,172		159			19,331
	Liabilities—
	Current liabilities		3,684		(5	)		3,679
	Non-current liabilities		2,304		332			2,636
	Deferred income taxes		1,326		(168	)		1,158
			7,314		159			7,473
	Net acquisition price	$	11,858	$	—		$	11,858
	The fair value of property, plant and equipment was based on the highest and best use of the specific properties. To determine fair value, the Company considered and applied primarily the cost approach. This approach considers the amount required to construct or purchase a new asset of equal utility at current prices with adjustments to the value for physical deterioration, functional obsolescence and economic obsolescence. The fair value of intangible assets including the trade name and customer relationship intangibles were based on discounted cash flows from projections of results of operations for SystemMetrics. The fair value of liabilities assumed was based on the present value of the expected future cash flows.
	The goodwill recognized is attributed to the anticipated growth opportunities for colocation services and from combining the operations of the Company and SystemMetrics. This includes the ability of the Company to offer a complete data solution to its business customers with more robust virtual and physical colocation. In addition, as a significant component of colocation services is data transmission, the Company can offer SystemMetrics customers multiple transmission options. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax reporting purposes and is attributed to the newly formed data center colocation segment.
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations are provided for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 as if the acquisition of SystemMetrics occurred on January 1, 2012. The pro forma combined results of operations have been prepared by adjusting the historical results of the Company to include the historical results of SystemMetrics. Adjustments were made to the historical results for the purchase price allocation which primarily impacts depreciation and amortization, to eliminate the interest on certain debt financing which was not assumed in the purchase, to eliminate certain intercompany revenue between the entities and to reallocate the transaction related expenses from the 2013 to the 2012 period.
	These supplemental pro forma results of operations are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have been achieved by the combined company for the periods presented or that may be achieved by the combined company in the future. The pro forma results of operations do not include any costs savings or synergies that resulted, or will result, from the acquisition or any estimated costs that will be incurred to integrate SystemMetrics. Future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in this pro forma financial information because of future events and transactions as well as other factors.
	The pro forma results are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Revenues	$	396,950	$	393,280
	Net income		10,940		109,438
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, revenues and net loss for SystemMetrics since acquisition amounted to $2.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
	Wavecom Solutions Corporation
	On December 31, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition for all the voting stock of Wavecom Solutions Corporation ("Wavecom") for $8.7 million in cash, net of cash acquired and final purchase adjustments. Wavecom provides telecommunication services in the State of Hawaii which are complementary to the Company's operations. Transaction costs amounted to $0.8 million in 2012, were primarily professional fees and were recognized as general and administrative expenses as incurred.
	The Company followed the acquisition method of accounting and allocated the purchase price to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their provisional fair values. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values was recorded as goodwill. During the measurement period, the Company recognized adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation based on new information as to the existence and value of certain assets and liabilities. The measurement period adjustments did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table summarizes the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed (dollars in thousands):
		Recognized		Measurement			Recognized
		as of		Period			as of
		Acquisition		Adjustments			Acquisition
							As Revised
	Assets—
	Property and equipment	$	11,898	$	876		$	12,774
	Intangible assets		1,060		(410	)		650
	Goodwill		1,569		8			1,577
	Deferred income taxes		—		488			488
	Other assets		1,663		—			1,663
			16,190		962			17,152
	Liabilities—
	Current liabilities		2,360		—			2,360
	Payable from Wavecom to the Company		4,037		—			4,037
	Non-current liabilities		1,450		650			2,100
			7,847		650			8,497
	Net acquisition price	$	8,343	$	312		$	8,655
	The Company had a receivable from Wavecom equal to the amount of the payable from Wavecom to the Company. These intercompany balances are now eliminated in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Company had previously recognized an allowance reducing the carrying value of the receivable to zero because of concerns regarding collectability. With the acquisition of Wavecom and effective settlement of the balance due, the Company recognized a gross settlement gain of $4.0 million for its pre-existing relationship with Wavecom. The Company estimates the net impact the settlement gain offset by bad debt expense on Wavecom balances resulted in a net credit of $2.5 million to selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The fair value of property, plant and equipment was based on the highest and best use of the specific properties. To determine fair value the Company considered and applied primarily the cost approach. This approach considers the amount required to construct or purchase a new asset of equal utility at current prices with adjustments to the value for physical deterioration, functional obsolescence and economic obsolescence. The fair value of intangible assets including the brand name and customer relationship intangibles were based on discounted cash flows from projections of results for Wavecom's operations.
	The goodwill recognized is attributed to the anticipated synergies to be achieved by combining the operations of the Company and Wavecom. This includes the ability to provide the Company and Wavecom customers a similar set of telecommunication offerings using a joint network composed of the best components of both organizations. All of the goodwill is deductible for income tax reporting purposes and is attributed to the telecommunications segment.
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations are provided for the year ended December 31, 2012 as if the acquisition of Wavecom occurred on January 1, 2011. The pro forma combined results of operations have been prepared by adjusting the historical results of the Company to include the historical results of Wavecom. Adjustments were made to the historical results for the purchase price allocation which primarily impacts depreciation and amortization, to eliminate the interest on certain debt financing which was not assumed in the purchase, to eliminate certain intercompany revenue between the entities and to reallocate the transaction related expenses from the year ended December 31, 2012 to the year ended December 31, 2011.
	These supplemental pro forma results of operations are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have been achieved by the combined company for the periods presented or that may be achieved by the combined company in the future. The pro forma results of operations do not include any costs savings or synergies that resulted, or will result, from the acquisition or any estimated costs the will be incurred to integrate Wavecom. Future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in this pro forma financial information because of future events and transactions as well as other factors.
	The pro forma results are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2012
	Revenues	$	394,159
	Net income		106,124

Receivables

Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables
Receivables	4. Receivables
	Receivables consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Customers and other	$	36,417		$	38,463
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(3,755	)		(3,942	)
		$	32,662		$	34,521
	The Company grants credit to customers in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have customer balances representing more than 10% of total receivables. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no customers that represented more than 10% of total revenues.
	The following is a summary of activity for the allowance for doubtful accounts (dollars in thousands):
		Beginning			Additional			Deductions			Ending
		Balance			Charges to			from			Balance
					Costs and			Allowance
					Expenses
	January 1 to December 31, 2014	$	3,942		$	3,590		$	(3,777	)	$	3,755
	January 1 to December 31, 2013		2,631			3,455			(2,144	)		3,942
	January 1 to December 31, 2012		2,924			716			(1,009	)		2,631
	In the summary above, the additional charges to costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 is net of a $4.0 million settlement gain relating to the preexisting relationship with Wavecom.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment	5. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Land	$	67,278	$	67,278
	Buildings		110,852		107,273
	Central office equipment		177,283		149,940
	Outside communications plant		334,179		290,201
	Furniture, vehicles and other equipment		60,290		42,613
	Construction in progress		28,214		24,557
	Software		54,635		42,645
	Other		10,858		4,857
			843,589		729,364
	Less accumulated depreciation		277,633		204,989
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	565,956	$	524,375
	Depreciation expense amounted to $75.1 million, $74.5 million and $68.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	In 2014, the Company sold most of its radio towers for $2.9 million. The sale agreement includes a leaseback by the Company for a minimum of 10 years to allow it to continue to use the towers for radio equipment. The Company accounted for the sale as a financing transaction with the proceeds recognized primarily in other noncurrent liabilities.
	In February 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to sell a parcel of land and warehouse not actively used in the Company's operations for a purchase price, as amended, of $13.9 million. The sale was subject to due diligence by the buyer and approval of the HPUC. The HPUC approval was received in May 2013 and the sale was consummated in June 2013. The net proceeds, net of commissions and other costs paid through escrow of $0.8 million, amounted to $13.1 million. A gain on the sale of $6.5 million was recognized in 2013 as management concluded the land sold was not grouped with the assets subject to the composite depreciation method. The HPUC approval requires the Company to spend $0.3 million on training employees on broadband telecommunication deployment and operation. In addition, the HPUC approval provides for the Company to make improvements to its broadband network in an amount equal to the net proceeds less the training cost commitment. The training expenses and network capital spending are recognized as the costs are incurred.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the identifiable intangible assets are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying
		Value				Value		Value				Value
	Subject to amortization:
	Customer relationships	$	21,709	$	11,799	$	9,910	$	21,709	$	8,983	$	12,726
	Trade name and other		320		202		118		320		121		199
			22,029		12,001		10,028		22,029		9,104		12,925
	Not subject to amortization:
	Brand name		27,300		—		27,300		27,300		—		27,300
			27,300		—		27,300		27,300		—		27,300
		$	49,329	$	12,001	$	37,328	$	49,329	$	9,104	$	40,225
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized customer relationship intangibles amounting to $4.3 million and other intangibles amounting to $0.1 million related to the acquisition of SystemMetrics. The estimated useful life of the customer relationship intangible assets acquired was 13 years. The determination of useful lives for customer relationships was made based on historical and expected customer attrition rates. The Company uses an accelerated amortization method reflecting the rate of expected customer attrition.
	During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized customer relationship intangibles amounting to $0.9 million and other intangibles amounting to $0.2 million related to the acquisition of Wavecom. The estimated useful life of the customer relationship intangible assets acquired was six years. The determination of useful lives for customer relationships was made based on historical and expected customer attrition rates. The Company uses an accelerated amortization method reflecting the rate of expected customer attrition.
	Amortization expense amounted to $2.9 million, $2.8 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter is as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2015	$	2,498
	2016		2,101
	2017		1,703
	2018		1,308
	2019		930
	Thereafter		1,488
		$	10,028
	In conjunction with the acquisition of SystemMetrics, the Company recognized goodwill of $10.5 million which is attributed to the data center colocation segment. In conjunction with the acquisition of Wavecom, the Company adjusted the carrying value of goodwill in 2013 as further discussed in Note 3. The revised goodwill amounted to $1.6 million and is included in the telecommunications segment.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	7. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Salaries and benefits	$	15,910	$	15,160
	Interest		2,550		2,576
	Other taxes		939		1,051
		$	19,399	$	18,787
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Other postretirement benefits, current	$	2,660	$	2,611
	Installment financing contracts, current		2,787		1,508
	Other		1,343		2,293
		$	6,790	$	6,412

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debts
Long-Term Debt	8. Long-Term Debt
	Long-Term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):
						December 31,
		Interest Rate at			Final
		December 31, 2014			Maturity	2014			2013
	Term loan		5	%	June 6, 2019	$	296,138		$	299,138
	Original issue discount						(3,715	)		(4,459	)
							292,423			294,679
	Current						3,000			3,000
	Noncurrent					$	289,423		$	291,679
	The term loan outstanding at December 31, 2014 provides for interest at the Alternate Base Rate, a rate which is indexed to the prime rate with certain adjustments as defined, plus a margin of 3.00% or a Eurocurrency rate on deposits of one, two, three or six months but no less than 1.00% per annum plus a margin of 4.00%. The Company has selected the Eurocurrency rate as of December 31, 2014 resulting in an interest rate at 5.00% as of that date.
	The term loan provides for interest payments no less than quarterly. In addition, quarterly principal payments of $0.8 million are required. The balance of the loan is due at maturity on June 6, 2019. The Company must prepay, generally within three months after year end, 50% or 25% of excess cash flow, as defined. The percent of excess cash flow required is dependent on the Company's leverage ratio. The excess cash flow payment for the year ended December 31, 2012 amounted to $2.1 million and was paid in March 2013. No excess cash flow payments are or were due for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company must also make prepayments on loans in the case of certain events such as large asset sales.
	The Company has a revolving credit facility which matures on October 3, 2015. The facility has an available balance of $30.0 million with no amounts drawn as of or for the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. A commitment fee is payable quarterly to the lender under the facility. Interest on amounts outstanding is based on, at the Company's option, the bank prime rate plus a margin of 3.0% to 6.0% or the Eurocurrency rate for one, two, three or six month periods plus a margin of 4.0% to 5.5%. The margin is dependent on the Company's leverage, as defined in the agreement, at the time of the borrowing.
	The obligations under the bank facilities are guaranteed by the Company and each subsidiary with certain exceptions. In addition, the bank credit facilities are collateralized by substantially all of the Company's assets.
	The bank credit facilities contain various negative and affirmative covenants that restrict, among other things, incurrence of additional indebtedness, payment of dividends, redemptions of stock, other distributions to shareholders and sales of assets. In addition, there are financial covenants consisting of an interest coverage ratio, leverage ratio and a maximum level of capital expenditures.
	Refinancing 2013
	In June 2013, the Company refinanced its term loan debt. The Company paid a premium on the repayment of the old term loan of $3.0 million. In addition, the Company paid $3.4 million in underwriting fees and legal costs. The premium on repayment of debt, existing original issue discount, existing deferred financing costs, underwriting fees and legal costs were accounted for in accordance with accounting standards for modification of debt instruments with different terms. The Company compared each syndicated lenders' loan under the old term loan with the syndicated lenders' loan under the new term loans. For loans under the new term loan that were substantially different, the Company recognized the exchange of debt instruments as a debt extinguishment. For loans under the new term loan that were not substantially different, the Company accounted for the exchange of debt instruments as a modification. As a result of the refinancing, the Company deferred $2.7 million of financing related costs and recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $3.7 million.
	Refinancing 2012
	In connection with the February 2012 refinancing of the term loan debt, the Company paid a premium on the repayment of the old term loan of $6.0 million. In addition, the Company paid $4.1 million in underwriting fees and legal costs. The premium on repayment of debt, and underwriting fees and legal costs were accounted for in accordance with accounting standards for modification of debt instruments with different terms. The Company compared each syndicated lenders' loan under the old term loan with the syndicated lenders' loan under the new term loan. For loans under the new term loan that were substantially different, the Company recognized the exchange of debt instruments as a debt extinguishment. For loans under the new term loan that were not substantially different, the Company accounted for the exchange of debt instruments as a modification. As a result of the refinancing, the Company capitalized $5.0 million of the premium on the repayment of debt and refinancing fees and expensed the remainder resulting in a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $5.1 million.
	Capitalized Interest
	Interest capitalized by the Company amounted to $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Maturities
	The annual requirements for principal payments on long-term debt as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2015	$	3,000
	2016		3,000
	2017		3,000
	2018		3,000
	2019		284,138
		$	296,138

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans
Employee Benefit Plans	9. Employee Benefit Plans
	Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
	The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan, with benefits frozen as of March 1, 2012, and postretirement health and life insurance benefits for union employees. The Company also sponsors a cash balance pension plan for nonunion employees, with benefits frozen as of April 1, 2007, and certain management employees receive postretirement health and life insurance under grandfathered provisions of a terminated plan.
	The Company amended its union pension plan on January 24, 2012 for the freeze of benefits effective March 1, 2012. This resulted in a reduction of the projected benefit obligation by $30.2 million which is the difference between the accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation at that date. The liability as of January 24, 2012 was measured using a discount rate of 4.54%. The union pension trust assets were also measured as of this date. The reduction in the net recorded liability of $33.4 million was used to offset actuarial losses previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. In addition, the periodic benefit cost was reduced to reflect that there is no future service cost for the union pension plan beginning March 1, 2012.
	The change in projected benefit obligation, change in plan assets, funded status and weighted average actuarial assumptions were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
		December 31,						December 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Obligation at beginning of period	$	220,330		$	245,211		$	50,988		$	53,630
	Service cost		—			—			897			1,047
	Interest cost		8,844			8,344			2,384			2,089
	Actuarial (gain) loss		26,643			(16,236	)		7,239			(4,044	)
	Benefits paid		(7,312	)		(16,989	)		(1,678	)		(1,734	)
	Obligation at end of period		248,505			220,330			59,830			50,988
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period		188,386			164,426			—			—
	Actual return on plan assets		15,562			29,056			—			—
	Employer contributions		9,673			11,893			1,678			1,734
	Benefits paid		(7,312	)		(16,989	)		(1,678	)		(1,734	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period		206,309			188,386			—			—
	Funded status:
	Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation	$	(42,196	)	$	(31,944	)	$	(59,830	)	$	(50,988	)
	Amounts recognized on balance sheet:
	Other current liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	(2,660	)	$	(2,611	)
	Employee benefit obligation, noncurrent		(42,196	)		(31,944	)		(57,170	)		(48,377	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(42,196	)	$	(31,944	)	$	(59,830	)	$	(50,988	)
	Actuarial gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(27,728	)	$	(3,783	)	$	(10,931	)	$	(3,752	)
	Actuarial assumptions:
	Measurement date		12/31/14			12/31/13			12/31/14			12/31/13
	Discount rate		3.70% to 3.74	%		4.40% to 4.62	%		3.97% to 4.15	%		4.75% to 5.01	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, current		NA			NA			6.75	%		7	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate		NA			NA			5	%		5	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year		NA			NA			2022			2022
	The actuarial loss for the year ended December 31, 2014 for both the pension and other postretirement benefits was caused, in part, by the decline in the discount rates and the use of a revised mortality table reflecting longer lives. In addition, for the pension plans, the interest rate used to convert fixed annuities to lump sum benefits per the plan terms also declined. The estimated amount of the actuarial loss to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during 2015 is $0.1 million for pension benefits and $0.6 million for other postretirement benefits.
	The Company accrues the costs of pension and postretirement benefits over the period from the date of hire until the date the employee becomes fully eligible for benefits. The following provides the components of benefit costs and weighted average actuarial assumptions for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
	Pension Benefits
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	1,488
	Interest cost		8,844			8,344			10,008
	Expected asset return		(12,664	)		(11,860	)		(11,491	)
	Amortization of net (gain) loss		135			628			429
	Total benefit cost (income)	$	(3,685	)	$	(2,888	)	$	434
	Actuarial assumptions:
	Discount rate		4.40% to 4.62	%		3.55% to 3.80	%		4.44% to 4.59	%
	Expected return on plan assets		7.25	%		7.5	%		7.75	%
	Long-term rate of compensation increase		NA			NA			3.50% to 5.00	%
	Other Postretirement Benefits
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	897		$	1,047		$	965
	Interest cost		2,384			2,089			2,362
	Amortization of net (gain) loss		60			356			118
	Total benefit cost	$	3,341		$	3,492		$	3,445
	Actuarial assumptions:
	Discount rate		4.75% to 5.01	%		3.85% to 4.10	%		4.85% to 5.09	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, current		7.00	%		7.50	%		7.50	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year		2022			2018			2018
	The measurement date for all plans was December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the accumulated benefit obligation was the same as the projected benefit obligation.
	The Company based its selection of an assumed discount rate for 2015 net periodic benefit cost and December 31, 2014 disclosure on a cash flow matching analysis that utilized bond information provided from a published bond index for all non-callable, high quality bonds (i.e., rated AA– or better) as of December 31, 2014. The matching of bond income to anticipated benefit cash flows and the basic methods of selecting the assumed discount rate and expected return on plan assets at December 31, 2014 did not change from December 31, 2013.
In selecting the expected rate of return on plan assets of 7.25% for 2015 net periodic benefit cost, the Company considered economic forecasts for the types of investments held by the plans (primarily equity and fixed income investments), the plans' asset allocations and the past performance of the plans' assets. The expected rate of return on plan assets was based on various factors including historical experience and long-term inflation assumptions. The Company's expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is determined using the target allocation of assets which is based on the goal of earning the highest rate of return while maintaining risk at acceptable levels. The plan strives to have assets sufficiently diversified so that adverse or unexpected results from a security class will not have a significant adverse impact on the entire portfolio.
The Company's overall investment strategy is to primarily invest for long-term growth with sufficient investments available to fund near-term benefit payments. The Company aims for diversification of asset types, fund strategies and fund managers. The target allocations for plan assets are 65 percent equity securities and 35 percent fixed income securities. Equity securities primarily include investments in equity funds and common stock of individual companies. Together these investments are diversified in both large and small cap companies located in the United States and internationally. Fixed income securities are in funds that invest in bonds of companies from diversified industries, mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasuries.
Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy when measuring the fair value of pension plan assets. The three levels of inputs within the hierarchy are defined as follows. Level 1 is quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 is significant other observable inputs other than level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 is significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company's own assumptions as to how market participants would price an asset.
The fair values of the Company's pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, based on trading values or fund net asset value, by asset category and basis of valuation, are as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Total
	in Active			Other			Unobservable
	Markets for			Observable			Inputs
	Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)
	Assets			(Level 2)
	(Level 1)
2014
Common stocks—domestic large cap	$	18,752		$	—		$	—		$	18,752
Equity funds—large cap index		—			108,189			—			108,189
Fixed income funds—diversified bond		—			78,503			—			78,503
Short term investment funds		—			865			—			865
	$	18,752		$	187,557		$	—		$	206,309
2013
Common stocks—domestic large cap	$	18,658		$	—		$	—		$	18,658
Equity funds—large cap index		—			100,478			—			100,478
Fixed income funds—diversified bond		—			68,242			—			68,242
Short term investment funds		—			1,008			—			1,008
	$	18,658		$	169,728		$	—		$	188,386
The fair values of the financial instruments shown in the table above represent the Company's best estimates of the amounts that would be received upon sale of those assets or that would be paid to transfer those liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at that date. Those fair value measurements maximize the use of observable inputs. However, in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, the fair value measurement reflects the Company's judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Those judgments are developed by the Company based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The Company used the following valuation methodologies for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Equity securities (Level 1) were valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
Fixed income securities, equity funds, and mutual funds (Level 2) were valued as follows. Fixed income securities are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. Equity funds and mutual funds include commingled equity funds that are not open to public investment and are valued at the net asset value per share.
All contributions made were as required by law. The Company expects to contribute $10.0 million to its defined benefit pension plans in 2015. The Company expects to contribute $2.7 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2015.
The Company projects that its plans will make the following benefit payments for the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
	Pension Plans			Other
	Benefits Paid			Postretirement
				Benefits Paid
2015	$	48,966		$	2,712
2016		23,343			2,831
2017		18,827			3,058
2018		18,601			3,324
2019		15,307			3,428
2020 through 2024		68,611			17,777
	$	193,655		$	33,130
Assumed health care costs trend rates have a significant impact on the amounts reported for other postretirement benefits. A one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following annual effects (dollars in thousands):
	1-Percentage			1-Percentage
	Point Increase			Point Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest costs components	$	205		$	(169	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation		3,840			(3,070	)
401(k) Plan
The Company participates in two 401(k) employee savings plans that allow for voluntary contributions into designated investment funds by eligible employees with the Company matching employee contributions, up to a maximum of 10% of compensation for union employees and 6% of compensation for non-union employees. Company contributions were $5.1 million, $4.9 million and $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	10. Income Taxes
	The components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current
	Federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and local		(941	)		(835	)		(535	)
			(941	)		(835	)		(535	)
	Deferred
	Federal		6,081			8,346			(78,978	)
	State and local		770			1,271			(11,849	)
			6,851			9,617			(90,827	)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	5,910		$	8,782		$	(91,362	)
	The income tax expense (benefit) differs from the amounts determined by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% to the income before income taxes for the following reasons (dollars in thousands):
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax at federal rate	$	4,763		$	6,552		$	6,331
	Increase (decrease) resulting from:
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		592			814			774
	Permanent difference for compensation limitation		595			575			271
	Expense reflected in tax basis		415			—			—
	Tax credit included in taxable income		327			320			204
	Other permanent differences		47			931			26
	Capital goods excise tax credit		(942	)		(836	)		(535	)
	Other, net		51			6			—
	Change in valuation allowance		62			420			(98,433	)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	5,910		$	8,782		$	(91,362	)
	During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the other permanent difference was attributed primarily to the Company recognizing adjustments to certain tax attributes for income tax purposes.
	Deferred income taxes consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	46,618		$	37,319
	Other basis differences		577			582
			47,195			37,901
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards		43,497			25,730
	Intangible assets		52,022			62,626
	Expenses deferred for tax		6,138			7,278
	Employee benefits		30,029			21,654
	Other basis differences		4,457			4,453
			136,143			121,741
	Valuation allowance		(482	)		(420	)
			135,661			121,321
	Deferred tax asset, net	$	88,466		$	83,420
	As of December 31, 2014, net operating losses available for carry forward through 2034 amounted to $105.9 million for federal purposes and $113.1 million for state purposes. Availability of net operating losses in future periods may be subject to additional limitations if there is a deemed change in control for income tax reporting purposes. Such change in control will be determined for income tax reporting purposes based on future changes in stock ownership. In addition to the net operating losses disclosed previously, there was $1.6 million and $0.4 million of excess tax deductions available at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to employee stock expense for which a benefit will be recorded to additional paid-in capital when realized.
	Prior to December 31, 2012, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance over its net deferred income tax assets. This situation resulted from the Company having a short history as a new entity (post Chapter 11). As a result of its continued positive earnings, as well as positive forecasted earnings in the future, management concluded that it was more likely than not that the Company would realize its deferred income tax assets, and therefore, the Company released its valuation allowance as of December 31, 2012. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized a valuation allowance for $0.1 and $0.4 million, respectively, for charitable loss carry forwards subject to deduction limitations. If there is a decline in the level of actual future or forecasted earnings, the conclusion regarding the need for a valuation allowance may change in future periods resulting in the establishment of a valuation allowance for some or all of the deferred income tax assets. The following is a summary of activity for the valuation allowance (dollars in thousands):
		Beginning			Charge (Credit)			Ending
		Balance			to Income			Balance
					Tax Expense
					or Equity
	January 1 to December 31, 2014	$	420		$	62		$	482
	January 1 to December 31, 2013		—			420			420
	January 1 to December 31, 2012		120,336			(120,336	)		—
	The Company evaluates its tax positions for liability recognition. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefit. No interest or penalties related to tax assessments were recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012. All tax years from 2011 remain open for both federal and Hawaii state purposes.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity	11. Stockholder's Equity
	Warrants
	In 2010, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,481,055 shares of common stock for $14.00 per share. The warrants to purchase shares may be exercised anytime from January 26, 2011 to the maturity on October 28, 2015. The warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis whereby a portion of the exercised warrants are tendered in lieu of payment for the exercise price. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, warrants were exercised, in part on a cashless basis, resulting in the issuance of 73,422, 117,784 and 17 shares of common stock, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there were 1,094,085 warrants outstanding.
	Equity Incentive Plan
	The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors may grant awards under the Company's equity incentive plan in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. The maximum number of shares issuable under the equity incentive plan is 1,400,000 shares with 720,000 shares remaining to be issued at December 31, 2014. All grants under the equity incentive plan will be issued at the fair value of the Company's common stock on date of grant.
	As of December 31, 2014, all awards were restricted stock units.
	Restricted Stock Units
	Restricted stock units are generally subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to release of the restrictions. The Company expenses the cost of restricted stock units, which is determined to be the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant, ratably over the period during which the restrictions lapse.
	Restricted stock units have service, performance and market conditions for vesting. Those with service conditions vest in equal installments on each of the first through fourth anniversaries of the date of grant except for those granted to directors which vest over three years. Those with performance and market conditions vest in installments over four years based on the achievement of goals to be established by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.
	Activity with respect to outstanding restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2012		248,951		$	17
	Granted		124,636			16
	Vested		(116,711	)		20
	Forfeited		(33,652	)		18
	Nonvested at December 31, 2012		223,224			15
	Granted		181,330			20
	Vested		(120,902	)		15
	Forfeited		(22,918	)		17
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013		260,734			18
	Granted		155,146			31
	Vested		(157,794	)		21
	Forfeited		(12,334	)		25
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014		245,752		$	27
	As of December 31, 2014, there was $3.2 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock unit awards expected to vest. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years.
	The Company recognized compensation expense of $4.2 million, $2.7 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had granted restricted stock units with market conditions. The Company valued those units for expense recognition purposes using a Monte Carlo simulation model with an expected volatility for the Company's shares of 25.6%, a risk free return of 0.35% and no expected dividends.
	The fair value as of the vesting date for the restricted stock units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $3.9 million, $2.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Upon vesting, unit holders have the option to net share-settle to cover the required withholding tax and the remaining amount is converted into an equivalent number of shares of common stock. The total shares withheld were 53,775, 34,730 and 15,360 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and were based on the value of the restricted stock units as determined by the Company's closing stock price. Total payments for the employees' tax obligations to the tax authorities was $1.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Other than reimbursements for tax withholdings, there was no cash received under all share-based arrangements. In 2014, the terms of certain restricted stock units were modified which resulted in the restricted stock units vesting as of the date of the modification. The Company recognized the incremental value of $0.6 million as additional expense in 2014.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases
Leases	12. Leases
	The Company leases certain facilities and equipment for use in the Company's operations under several operating agreements. Certain of the leases provide for escalation or renegotiation of rental rates, and for extension of lease terms. Total rent expense for the Company amounted to $5.1 million, $3.9 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Information on the aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases is as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Years ended, December 31:
	2015	$	2,405
	2016		2,090
	2017		1,908
	2018		1,708
	2019		1,694
	Thereafter		8,167
		$	17,972

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Unrealized			Defined			Total
		Gain (Loss)			Benefit
		on Investments			Postretirement
					Plans
	January 1, 2012	$	(33	)	$	(57,485	)	$	(57,518	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2012, net of tax		(3	)		29,071			29,068
	December 31, 2012		(36	)		(28,414	)		(28,450	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2013, net of tax		(24	)		23,758			23,734
	December 31, 2013		(60	)		(4,656	)		(4,716	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2014, net of tax		(4	)		(19,227	)		(19,231	)
	December 31, 2014	$	(64	)	$	(23,883	)	$	(23,947	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Retirement plans
	Amortization of (gain) loss	$	195		$	984		$	547
	Income tax charge on other comprehensive income		74			374			—
	Net of tax	$	121		$	610		$	547
	The amortization of gain or loss was recognized primarily in selling, general and administrative expense for all three periods presented.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies	14. Commitments and Contingencies
	Long-Term Fixed Supplier Commitments
	The Company has entered into agreements with various entities under long-term fixed contractual commitments primarily for technology related services. Annual fixed fee commitments for agreements in effect at December 31, 2014, amounted to the following (dollars in thousands):
	Years ended, December 31:
	2015	$	21,080
	2016		19,005
	2017		4,722
		$	44,807
	Under the long-term agreements, the Company incurred fees amounting to $9.3 million, $12.8 million and $12.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	In August 2014, the Company joined several other telecommunication companies to form a consortium to build and operate a trans-Pacific submarine cable system. The total system cost is $245 million and is primarily composed of a supply contract with the lead contractor. The Company will invest $25 million over the multi-year construction period for a fractional ownership in the system. The fixed fee component of the investment is included in the above fixed fee commitments. The Company will recognize its fractional share of the cost. In addition, the Company will construct a cable landing station in Hawaii and provide cable landing services in exchange for additional system capacity. The value of this capacity is estimated at $5.0 million. The system is expected to be completed in December 2016.
	In July 2014, the Company entered into a power purchase agreement to acquire all of the power generated from solar photovoltaic systems that are to be installed by a third party on selected company properties. The agreement provides for all power generated to be purchased at a fixed price over a 25 year term. Based on planned solar installations and expected power generated, the Company estimates it will purchase power amounting to $0.7 million in 2015. Power purchased in future years will be dependent on the level of photovoltaic units installed by the third party and the power generated.
	Other Installment Contracts
	The Company has various other fixed installment contacts generally in conjunction with acquisition of assets. These agreements generally have a component representing interest at fixed rates in addition to principal. As of December 31, 2014, the commitments were as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Years ended, December 31:
	2015	$	3,176
	2016		1,601
	2017		1,099
	2018		932
	2019		938
	Thereafter		9,872
			17,618
	Less amount representing interest		5,334
	Present value		12,284
	Current reflected in other current liabilities		2,787
	Noncurrent reflected in other liabilities	$	9,497
	Tropical Storm Iselle
	On August 8, 2014, Tropical Storm Iselle made landfall in the State of Hawaii with the most significant damage occurring on the east side of the island of Hawaii. The damage to the Company's outside plant is estimated to amount to $2.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The Company is insured but there are limitations based on proximity of poles and lines to other Company property and based on deductibles determined by insured location as well as by event. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has not recognized a recovery in the consolidated financial statements. The expense attributed to the storm recognized in the consolidated statements of income after cost capitalization amounted to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Puna Lava Flow
	A lava flow from Kilauea volcano is impacting the Puna district on the island of Hawaii. The Company has been monitoring the progress of the lava flow and has plans to reduce disruption to its services in the area. These plans are subject to change depending on the direction and advancement of the lava flow which has been unpredictable. Through December 31, 2014, the Company has incurred capital costs of $0.5 million related primarily to additional service lines along new roadways created to redirect traffic and utility services in the Puna district.
	Collective Bargaining Agreement
	The Company has a collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1357 ("IBEW") that expires on December 31, 2017. The agreement covers approximately half of the Company's workforce.
	Third Party Claims
	In the normal course of conducting its business, the Company is involved in various disputes with third parties, including vendors and customers. The outcome of such disputes is generally uncertain and subject to commercial negotiations. The Company periodically assesses its liabilities in connection with these matters and records reserves for those matters where it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on management's most recent assessment, the Company believes that the risk of loss in excess of liabilities recorded is not material for all outstanding claims and disputes and the ultimate outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
	Litigation
	The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. The outcome of litigation is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The following method and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate the fair value.
	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable—The carrying amount approximates fair value. The valuation is based on settlements of similar financial instruments all of which are short-term in nature and generally settled at or near cost. Cash is measured at Level 1.
	Investment securities—The fair value of investment securities is based on quoted market prices. Investment securities are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Debt—The fair value of debt is based on the value at which debt is trading among holders.
	The estimated fair value of financial instruments is as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value
	December 31, 2014
	Assets—investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	$	808	$	808
	Liabilities—long-term debt (carried at amortized cost)		292,423		296,908
	December 31, 2013
	Assets—investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	$	807	$	807
	Liabilities—long-term debt (carried at amortized cost)		294,679		299,886
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value for accounting purposes is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).
	Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis represent investment securities included in other assets. Liabilities carried at amortized cost with fair value disclosure on a recurring basis represent long-term debt. A summary is as follows (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Asset value measurements using:
	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	$	808	$	807
	Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		—		—
	Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		—		—
		$	808	$	807
	Liability value measurements using:
	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	$	—	$	—
	Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		296,908		299,886
	Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		—		—
		$	296,908	$	299,886
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 represent those recognized in conjunction with the acquisition of SystemMetrics and Wavecom, respectively. A summary of the valued assets and liabilities is included in Note 3 including a discussion of the valuation methodology. The majority of assets and liabilities were valued using level 3 unobservable inputs.

Cash_Flow_Information

Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flow Information
Cash Flow Information	16. Cash Flow Information
	Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Cash paid during the year:
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized		14,667		18,094		21,966
	Non-cash investing activities—capital assets acquired under installment contracts		6,005		—		—

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information
Segment Information	17. Segment Information
	The Company operates in the two reportable segments of telecommunications and data center colocation. This conclusion is based on how resources are allocated and performance is assessed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Company's chief operating decision maker. The telecommunications segment provides local voice services, long distance voice services, high-speed internet and video. In addition, the segment provides network access which includes data transport. Various related telephony services are provided including equipment and managed services. The data center colocation segment provides physical colocation, virtual colocation and various related telephony services.
	In 2013, the Company reevaluated its reportable segments. This was prompted by the acquisition of SystemMetrics and the Company's current strategic focus. Prior to the acquisition of SystemMetrics on September 30, 2013, the Company did not have data center colocation operations. Hence, the Company was in a single segment prior to 2013 under the revised reportable segment structure.
	The following table provides operating financial information for the Company's reportable segments for the years ended and as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Telecommunications		Data Center			Intersegment			Total
				Colocation			Elimination
	2014
	Operating revenues	$	381,013	$	10,737		$	(1,011	)	$	390,739
	Depreciation and amortization		76,325		1,689			—			78,014
	Operating income (loss)		30,683		(212	)		—			30,471
	Capital expenditures		103,588		118			—			103,706
	Assets		777,412		24,556			—			801,968
	2013
	Operating revenues	$	389,168	$	2,188		$	(206	)	$	391,150
	Depreciation and amortization		76,935		366			—			77,301
	Operating income (loss)		41,907		(136	)		—			41,771
	Capital expenditures		92,742		299			—			93,041
	Assets		758,993		19,022			—			778,015
	Intersegment revenue represents network access services provided by the telecommunications segment for data center colocation. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, total operating income above reconciles to the consolidated statement of income as follows:
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Operating income	$	30,471	$	41,771
	Corporate other expense		16,462		22,501
	Income before income tax provision	$	14,009	$	19,270
	The operating income of the telecommunications segment included the gain from the sale of property for $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The following table provides information on the Company's revenue, net of intersegment eliminations, by product group (dollars in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
	Local voice and other retail services	$	254,577	$	258,604		$	255,592
	Network access services		125,425		130,358			129,906
	Data center colocation		10,737		2,188			—
		$	390,739	$	391,150		$	385,498
	In 2014, the data center colocation segment sold equipment for $0.4 million to a technology company that is a wholly-owned investment of an officer of the data center colocation segment.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	18. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
	The Company's quarterly operating results are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Operating		Operating		Net		Earnings		Earnings
		Revenues		Income		Income		per share—		per share—
								basic		diluted
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	First Quarter	$	97,072	$	8,138	$	2,368	$	0.22	$	0.21
	Second Quarter		96,784		7,892		2,239		0.21		0.20
	Third Quarter		97,252		6,620		1,516		0.14		0.13
	Fourth Quarter		99,631		7,821		1,976		0.19		0.17
	Total	$	390,739	$	30,471	$	8,099	$	0.76	$	0.72
	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	First Quarter	$	95,965	$	8,585	$	1,848	$	0.18	$	0.17
	Second Quarter		96,997		15,226		3,951		0.38		0.36
	Third Quarter		97,682		7,914		2,061		0.20		0.18
	Fourth Quarter		100,506		10,046		2,628		0.25		0.23
	Total	$	391,150	$	41,771	$	10,488	$	1.01	$	0.95

Restricted_Net_Assets_and_Pare

Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information
Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information	19. Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information
	Agreements with the HPUC and the debt agreements of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc. limit the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to pay dividends to the parent company and restrict the net assets of all of the Company's subsidiaries.
	The following condensed financial information for Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. reflects parent company financial information only. Such financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
	The parent company has accounted for its investment in its consolidated subsidiary on the equity method of accounting. No dividends were paid by the subsidiaries to the parent company at any time during the existence of the parent company.
	Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc.
	(Parent Company Only)
	Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Equity in earnings of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.	$	8,099		$	10,488		$	109,982
	Income tax expense		—			—			—
	Net income		8,099			10,488			109,982
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(19,231	)		23,734			29,068
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(11,132	)	$	34,222		$	139,050
	Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc.
	(Parent Company Only)
	Condensed Balance Sheets
	(Dollars in Thousands)
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Assets
	Investment in Hawaiian Telcom
	Communications, Inc.	$	304,534		$	313,012
	Total assets	$	304,534		$	313,012
	Stockholders' Equity
	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 245,000,000 shares authorized and 10,673,292 and 10,495,856 shares issued and outstanding	$	107		$	105
	Additional paid-in capital		170,521			167,869
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(23,947	)		(4,716	)
	Retained earnings		157,853			149,754
	Total stockholders' equity	$	304,534		$	313,012
	Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc.
	(Parent Company Only)
	Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
	(Dollars in Thousands)
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net income	$	8,099		$	10,488		$	109,982
	Undistributed earnings of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.		(8,099	)		(10,488	)		(109,982	)
	Net cash provided by operating activities,net change in cash and ending balance of cash	$	—		$	—		$	—

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when evidence of an arrangement exists, the earnings process is complete and collectibility is reasonably assured. The prices for most services are filed in tariffs with the regulatory body that exercises jurisdiction over the services.
	Basic local service, enhanced calling features such as caller ID, special access circuits, long-distance flat rate calling plans, most data services, HSI, television, data center colocation and wireless services are billed one month in advance. Revenue for these services is recognized in the month services are rendered. The portion of advance-billed services associated with services that will be delivered in a subsequent period is deferred and recorded as a liability in advance billings and customer deposits.
	Amounts billed to customers for activating wireline service are deferred and recognized over the average customer relationship. The costs associated with activating such services are deferred and recognized as an operating expense over the same period. Costs in excess of revenues are recognized as expense in the period in which activation occurs.
	Revenues for providing usage based services, such as per-minute long-distance service, access charges billed to long-distance companies for originating and terminating long-distance calls on the Company's network and video on demand, are billed in arrears. Revenues for these services are based on actual rated usage and, where necessary, historical usage patterns, and are recognized in the month services are rendered.
	For long-term indefeasible right of use, or IRU, contracts for fiber circuit capacity, the Company may receive up-front payments for services to be delivered for a period of up to 25 years. In these situations, the Company defers the revenue and amortizes it on a straight-line basis to earnings over the term of the contract.
	Universal Service revenues are government-sponsored support received in association with providing service in mostly rural, high-cost areas. These revenues are typically based on information provided by the Company and are calculated by the government agency responsible for administering the support program. These revenues are recognized in the period the service is provided.
	Telecommunication systems and structured cabling project revenues are recognized on a percentage completion basis, generally based on the relative portion of costs incurred to total estimated costs of a project, except for short duration projects which are recognized upon completion of the project. Maintenance services are recorded when the service is provided.
	With respect to arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company determines whether more than one unit of accounting exists in an arrangement. To the extent that the deliverables are separable into multiple units of accounting, total consideration is allocated to the individual units of accounting based on their relative fair value, determined by the price of each deliverable when it is regularly sold on a stand-alone basis. Revenue is recognized for each unit of accounting as delivered or as service is performed depending on the nature of the deliverable comprising the unit of accounting.
Taxes Collected from Customers	Taxes Collected from Customers
	The Company presents taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a gross basis, including such amounts in the Company's reported operating revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses. Such amounts represent primarily Hawaii state general excise taxes and HPUC fees. Such taxes and fees amounted to $7.5 million, $7.4 million and $7.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and money market accounts with maturities at acquisition of three months or less. The majority of cash balances at December 31, 2014 are held in one bank in demand deposit accounts.
Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities	Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
	Accounts payable included $21.2 million and $14.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for additions to property, plant and equipment.
Receivables	Receivables
	The Company recognizes accounts receivable net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company makes estimates of the uncollectibility of its accounts receivable by specifically analyzing accounts receivable and historic bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and changes in its customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. After multiple attempts at collection of delinquent accounts, the balance due is deemed uncollectible and charged against the allowance.
Material and Supplies	Material and Supplies
	Material and supplies which consist mainly of cable, supplies and replacement parts, are stated at the lower of cost, determined principally by the average cost method, or net realizable value.
Property and Depreciation	Property and Depreciation
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation has been calculated using the composite remaining life methodology and straight-line depreciation rates. The composite method depreciates the remaining net investment in telephone plant over remaining economic asset lives by asset category. This method requires periodic review and revision of depreciation rates. The average economic lives utilized for assets are as follows: building—18 to 34 years; cable and wire—11 to 37 years; switching and circuit equipment—6 to 15 years; and other property—4 to 17 years.
Software	Software
	The Company capitalizes the costs associated with externally acquired software for internal use. Project costs associated with internally developed software are segregated into three project stages: preliminary project stage, application development stage and post-implementation stage. Costs associated with both the preliminary project stage and post-implementation stage are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the application development stage are capitalized. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software is generally amortized on a straight-line method basis over its useful life, not to exceed five years.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized. Such assets are reviewed annually, or more frequently under various conditions, for impairment. The goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step, identifying a potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step will need to be conducted. The second step, measuring the impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Any excess of the reporting unit goodwill carrying value over the respective implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. The Company performs its annual impairment test during the fourth quarter, primarily using a market valuation and discounted cash flows methodology.
	Intangible assets with definite lives, including the value assigned to the customer base, are being amortized over the remaining estimated lives. For customer relationship intangibles, amortization is calculated using a declining balance method in relation to estimated retention lives of acquired customers.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such cases, if the sum of the expected cash flows, undiscounted and without interest, resulting from use of the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized based on the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets.
Debt Issuance	Debt Issuance
	Deferred financing costs, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and original issue discount are amortized over the term of the related debt issuance using the effective interest method.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect in the year the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	Pension and postretirement health and life insurance benefits earned during the year as well as interest on projected benefit obligations are accrued currently. Actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the average remaining expected life of participants deemed inactive.
Maintenance and Repairs	Maintenance and Repairs
	The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of replacing minor items not constituting substantial betterments, is charged to expense as these costs are incurred.
Advertising	Advertising
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense amounted to $6.1 million, $4.0 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Stock Based Compensation	Stock Based Compensation
	The Company measures and recognizes the compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. The fair value of restricted stock units is generally based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of market-based stock awards is estimated using a statistical pricing model as of the date of grant. Because stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted effect of all common shares issued and outstanding, and is calculated by dividing earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing earnings, adjusted for the effect, if any, from assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding, by the weighted average number of common shares used in the basic earnings per share calculation plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. The denominator used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Basic earnings per share—weighted average shares		10,591,351		10,337,339		10,242,573
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee and director restricted stock units		143,787		163,101		112,510
	Warrants		572,913		593,491		305,564
	Diluted earnings per share—weighted average shares		11,308,051		11,093,931		10,660,647
	The computation of weighted average dilutive shares outstanding excluded restricted stock units to acquire 7,511 shares of common stock for the year ended December 31, 2012. The unrecognized compensation on a per unit basis for these restricted stock units was greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock for the period presented. Therefore, the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the restricted stock units excluded were not significant.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new accounting standard which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The new accounting standard will supersede the current revenue recognition requirements and most industry-specific guidance. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017 and either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption is permitted. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard with new guidance on management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosures. Management must evaluate whether it is probable that known conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, would raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If such conditions or events are identified, the standard requires management's mitigation plans to alleviate the doubt or a statement of the substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern to be disclosed in the financial statements. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this accounting standard.

Basis_of_Presentation_Tables

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation
Schedule of denominator used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Basic earnings per share—weighted average shares		10,591,351		10,337,339		10,242,573
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Employee and director restricted stock units		143,787		163,101		112,510
	Warrants		572,913		593,491		305,564
	Diluted earnings per share—weighted average shares		11,308,051		11,093,931		10,660,647

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
System Metrics Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The adjustments in 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Recognized		Measurement			Recognized
		as of		Period			as of
		Acquisition		Adjustments			Acquisition
							As Revised
	Assets—
	Property and equipment	$	3,781	$	—		$	3,781
	Intangible assets		4,380		—			4,380
	Goodwill		10,368		159			10,527
	Other assets		643		—			643
			19,172		159			19,331
	Liabilities—
	Current liabilities		3,684		(5	)		3,679
	Non-current liabilities		2,304		332			2,636
	Deferred income taxes		1,326		(168	)		1,158
			7,314		159			7,473
	Net acquisition price	$	11,858	$	—		$	11,858
Schedule of pro forma results	The pro forma results are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Revenues	$	396,950	$	393,280
	Net income		10,940		109,438
Wavecom Solutions Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The following table summarizes the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed (dollars in thousands):
		Recognized		Measurement			Recognized
		as of		Period			as of
		Acquisition		Adjustments			Acquisition
							As Revised
	Assets—
	Property and equipment	$	11,898	$	876		$	12,774
	Intangible assets		1,060		(410	)		650
	Goodwill		1,569		8			1,577
	Deferred income taxes		—		488			488
	Other assets		1,663		—			1,663
			16,190		962			17,152
	Liabilities—
	Current liabilities		2,360		—			2,360
	Payable from Wavecom to the Company		4,037		—			4,037
	Non-current liabilities		1,450		650			2,100
			7,847		650			8,497
	Net acquisition price	$	8,343	$	312		$	8,655
Schedule of pro forma results	The pro forma results are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2012
	Revenues	$	394,159
	Net income		106,124

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables
Schedule of receivables	Receivables consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Customers and other	$	36,417		$	38,463
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(3,755	)		(3,942	)
		$	32,662		$	34,521
Summary of activity for the allowance for doubtful accounts	The following is a summary of activity for the allowance for doubtful accounts (dollars in thousands):
		Beginning			Additional			Deductions			Ending
		Balance			Charges to			from			Balance
					Costs and			Allowance
					Expenses
	January 1 to December 31, 2014	$	3,942		$	3,590		$	(3,777	)	$	3,755
	January 1 to December 31, 2013		2,631			3,455			(2,144	)		3,942
	January 1 to December 31, 2012		2,924			716			(1,009	)		2,631

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment
Schedule of property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Land	$	67,278	$	67,278
	Buildings		110,852		107,273
	Central office equipment		177,283		149,940
	Outside communications plant		334,179		290,201
	Furniture, vehicles and other equipment		60,290		42,613
	Construction in progress		28,214		24,557
	Software		54,635		42,645
	Other		10,858		4,857
			843,589		729,364
	Less accumulated depreciation		277,633		204,989
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	565,956	$	524,375

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Schedule of identifiable intangible assets	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the identifiable intangible assets are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying
		Value				Value		Value				Value
	Subject to amortization:
	Customer relationships	$	21,709	$	11,799	$	9,910	$	21,709	$	8,983	$	12,726
	Trade name and other		320		202		118		320		121		199
			22,029		12,001		10,028		22,029		9,104		12,925
	Not subject to amortization:
	Brand name		27,300		—		27,300		27,300		—		27,300
			27,300		—		27,300		27,300		—		27,300
		$	49,329	$	12,001	$	37,328	$	49,329	$	9,104	$	40,225
Schedule of estimated amortization expense	Estimated amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter is as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2015	$	2,498
	2016		2,101
	2017		1,703
	2018		1,308
	2019		930
	Thereafter		1,488
		$	10,028

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Schedule of accrued expenses	Accrued expenses consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Salaries and benefits	$	15,910	$	15,160
	Interest		2,550		2,576
	Other taxes		939		1,051
		$	19,399	$	18,787
Other current liabilities	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Other postretirement benefits, current	$	2,660	$	2,611
	Installment financing contracts, current		2,787		1,508
	Other		1,343		2,293
		$	6,790	$	6,412

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debts
Schedule of long-term debt	Long-Term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):
						December 31,
		Interest Rate at			Final
		December 31, 2014			Maturity	2014			2013
	Term loan		5	%	June 6, 2019	$	296,138		$	299,138
	Original issue discount						(3,715	)		(4,459	)
							292,423			294,679
	Current						3,000			3,000
	Noncurrent					$	289,423		$	291,679
Schedule of annual requirements for principal payments on long-term debt	The annual requirements for principal payments on long-term debt as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2015	$	3,000
	2016		3,000
	2017		3,000
	2018		3,000
	2019		284,138
		$	296,138

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule of change in projected benefit obligation, change in plan assets, funded status and weighted average actuarial assumptions	The change in projected benefit obligation, change in plan assets, funded status and weighted average actuarial assumptions were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
		December 31,						December 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Obligation at beginning of period	$	220,330		$	245,211		$	50,988		$	53,630
	Service cost		—			—			897			1,047
	Interest cost		8,844			8,344			2,384			2,089
	Actuarial (gain) loss		26,643			(16,236	)		7,239			(4,044	)
	Benefits paid		(7,312	)		(16,989	)		(1,678	)		(1,734	)
	Obligation at end of period		248,505			220,330			59,830			50,988
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period		188,386			164,426			—			—
	Actual return on plan assets		15,562			29,056			—			—
	Employer contributions		9,673			11,893			1,678			1,734
	Benefits paid		(7,312	)		(16,989	)		(1,678	)		(1,734	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period		206,309			188,386			—			—
	Funded status:
	Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation	$	(42,196	)	$	(31,944	)	$	(59,830	)	$	(50,988	)
	Amounts recognized on balance sheet:
	Other current liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	(2,660	)	$	(2,611	)
	Employee benefit obligation, noncurrent		(42,196	)		(31,944	)		(57,170	)		(48,377	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(42,196	)	$	(31,944	)	$	(59,830	)	$	(50,988	)
	Actuarial gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(27,728	)	$	(3,783	)	$	(10,931	)	$	(3,752	)
	Actuarial assumptions:
	Measurement date		12/31/14			12/31/13			12/31/14			12/31/13
	Discount rate		3.70% to 3.74	%		4.40% to 4.62	%		3.97% to 4.15	%		4.75% to 5.01	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, current		NA			NA			6.75	%		7	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate		NA			NA			5	%		5	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year		NA			NA			2022			2022
Schedule of the fair values of pension plan assets based on trading values or fund net asset value, by asset category	The fair values of the Company's pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, based on trading values or fund net asset value, by asset category and basis of valuation, are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Total
		in Active			Other			Unobservable
		Markets for			Observable			Inputs
		Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)
		Assets			(Level 2)
		(Level 1)
	2014
	Common stocks—domestic large cap	$	18,752		$	—		$	—		$	18,752
	Equity funds—large cap index		—			108,189			—			108,189
	Fixed income funds—diversified bond		—			78,503			—			78,503
	Short term investment funds		—			865			—			865
		$	18,752		$	187,557		$	—		$	206,309
	2013
	Common stocks—domestic large cap	$	18,658		$	—		$	—		$	18,658
	Equity funds—large cap index		—			100,478			—			100,478
	Fixed income funds—diversified bond		—			68,242			—			68,242
	Short term investment funds		—			1,008			—			1,008
		$	18,658		$	169,728		$	—		$	188,386
Schedule of projected benefit payments	The Company projects that its plans will make the following benefit payments for the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
		Pension Plans			Other
		Benefits Paid			Postretirement
					Benefits Paid
	2015	$	48,966		$	2,712
	2016		23,343			2,831
	2017		18,827			3,058
	2018		18,601			3,324
	2019		15,307			3,428
	2020 through 2024		68,611			17,777
		$	193,655		$	33,130
Schedule of one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates	A one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following annual effects (dollars in thousands):
		1-Percentage			1-Percentage
		Point Increase			Point Decrease
	Effect on total of service and interest costs components	$	205		$	(169	)
	Effect on postretirement benefit obligation		3,840			(3,070	)
Pension Benefits
Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule of components of benefit costs and weighted average actuarial assumptions
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	1,488
	Interest cost		8,844			8,344			10,008
	Expected asset return		(12,664	)		(11,860	)		(11,491	)
	Amortization of net (gain) loss		135			628			429
	Total benefit cost (income)	$	(3,685	)	$	(2,888	)	$	434
	Actuarial assumptions:
	Discount rate		4.40% to 4.62	%		3.55% to 3.80	%		4.44% to 4.59	%
	Expected return on plan assets		7.25	%		7.5	%		7.75	%
	Long-term rate of compensation increase		NA			NA			3.50% to 5.00	%
Other Postretirement Benefits
Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule of components of benefit costs and weighted average actuarial assumptions
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	897		$	1,047		$	965
	Interest cost		2,384			2,089			2,362
	Amortization of net (gain) loss		60			356			118
	Total benefit cost	$	3,341		$	3,492		$	3,445
	Actuarial assumptions:
	Discount rate		4.75% to 5.01	%		3.85% to 4.10	%		4.85% to 5.09	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, current		7.00	%		7.50	%		7.50	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
	Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year		2022			2018			2018

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Schedule of components of the income tax expense (benefit)	The components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current
	Federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	State and local		(941	)		(835	)		(535	)
			(941	)		(835	)		(535	)
	Deferred
	Federal		6,081			8,346			(78,978	)
	State and local		770			1,271			(11,849	)
			6,851			9,617			(90,827	)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	5,910		$	8,782		$	(91,362	)
Schedule of reconciliation of income tax provision (benefit)	The income tax expense (benefit) differs from the amounts determined by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% to the income before income taxes for the following reasons (dollars in thousands):
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax at federal rate	$	4,763		$	6,552		$	6,331
	Increase (decrease) resulting from:
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		592			814			774
	Permanent difference for compensation limitation		595			575			271
	Expense reflected in tax basis		415			—			—
	Tax credit included in taxable income		327			320			204
	Other permanent differences		47			931			26
	Capital goods excise tax credit		(942	)		(836	)		(535	)
	Other, net		51			6			—
	Change in valuation allowance		62			420			(98,433	)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	5,910		$	8,782		$	(91,362	)
Schedule of deferred income taxes	Deferred income taxes consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	46,618		$	37,319
	Other basis differences		577			582
			47,195			37,901
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss and credit carryforwards		43,497			25,730
	Intangible assets		52,022			62,626
	Expenses deferred for tax		6,138			7,278
	Employee benefits		30,029			21,654
	Other basis differences		4,457			4,453
			136,143			121,741
	Valuation allowance		(482	)		(420	)
			135,661			121,321
	Deferred tax asset, net	$	88,466		$	83,420
Summary of activity for the valuation allowance	The following is a summary of activity for the valuation allowance (dollars in thousands):
		Beginning			Charge (Credit)			Ending
		Balance			to Income			Balance
					Tax Expense
					or Equity
	January 1 to December 31, 2014	$	420		$	62		$	482
	January 1 to December 31, 2013		—			420			420
	January 1 to December 31, 2012		120,336			(120,336	)		—

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity
Schedule of restricted stock units
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2012		248,951		$	17
	Granted		124,636			16
	Vested		(116,711	)		20
	Forfeited		(33,652	)		18
	Nonvested at December 31, 2012		223,224			15
	Granted		181,330			20
	Vested		(120,902	)		15
	Forfeited		(22,918	)		17
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013		260,734			18
	Granted		155,146			31
	Vested		(157,794	)		21
	Forfeited		(12,334	)		25
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014		245,752		$	27

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases
Schedule of aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases	Information on the aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases is as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Years ended, December 31:
	2015	$	2,405
	2016		2,090
	2017		1,908
	2018		1,708
	2019		1,694
	Thereafter		8,167
		$	17,972

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables )	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Schedule of components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Unrealized			Defined			Total
		Gain (Loss)			Benefit
		on Investments			Postretirement
					Plans
	January 1, 2012	$	(33	)	$	(57,485	)	$	(57,518	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2012, net of tax		(3	)		29,071			29,068
	December 31, 2012		(36	)		(28,414	)		(28,450	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2013, net of tax		(24	)		23,758			23,734
	December 31, 2013		(60	)		(4,656	)		(4,716	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2014, net of tax		(4	)		(19,227	)		(19,231	)
	December 31, 2014	$	(64	)	$	(23,883	)	$	(23,947	)
Schedule of reclassifications out of other comprehensive income (loss)	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Retirement plans
	Amortization of (gain) loss	$	195		$	984		$	547
	Income tax charge on other comprehensive income		74			374			—
	Net of tax	$	121		$	610		$	547

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Schedule of annual fixed fee commitments	Annual fixed fee commitments for agreements in effect at December 31, 2014, amounted to the following (dollars in thousands):
	Years ended, December 31:
	2015	$	21,080
	2016		19,005
	2017		4,722
		$	44,807
Schedule of other fixed installment contracts generally in conjunction with acquisition of assets	As of December 31, 2014, the commitments were as follows (dollars in thousands):
	Years ended, December 31:
	2015	$	3,176
	2016		1,601
	2017		1,099
	2018		932
	2019		938
	Thereafter		9,872
			17,618
	Less amount representing interest		5,334
	Present value		12,284
	Current reflected in other current liabilities		2,787
	Noncurrent reflected in other liabilities	$	9,497

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Schedule of estimated fair value of financial instruments	The estimated fair value of financial instruments is as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value
	December 31, 2014
	Assets—investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	$	808	$	808
	Liabilities—long-term debt (carried at amortized cost)		292,423		296,908
	December 31, 2013
	Assets—investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	$	807	$	807
	Liabilities—long-term debt (carried at amortized cost)		294,679		299,886
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	Liabilities carried at amortized cost with fair value disclosure on a recurring basis represent long-term debt. A summary is as follows (dollars in thousands):
		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Asset value measurements using:
	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	$	808	$	807
	Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		—		—
	Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		—		—
		$	808	$	807
	Liability value measurements using:
	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	$	—	$	—
	Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		296,908		299,886
	Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		—		—
		$	296,908	$	299,886

Cash_Flow_Information_Tables

Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flow Information
Schedule of supplemental cash flow information
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Cash paid during the year:
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized		14,667		18,094		21,966
	Non-cash investing activities—capital assets acquired under installment contracts		6,005		—		—

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information
Schedule of operating financial information of segments	The following table provides operating financial information for the Company's reportable segments for the years ended and as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Telecommunications		Data Center			Intersegment			Total
				Colocation			Elimination
	2014
	Operating revenues	$	381,013	$	10,737		$	(1,011	)	$	390,739
	Depreciation and amortization		76,325		1,689			—			78,014
	Operating income (loss)		30,683		(212	)		—			30,471
	Capital expenditures		103,588		118			—			103,706
	Assets		777,412		24,556			—			801,968
	2013
	Operating revenues	$	389,168	$	2,188		$	(206	)	$	391,150
	Depreciation and amortization		76,935		366			—			77,301
	Operating income (loss)		41,907		(136	)		—			41,771
	Capital expenditures		92,742		299			—			93,041
	Assets		758,993		19,022			—			778,015
Reconciliation of total operating income to the consolidated statement of income	For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, total operating income above reconciles to the consolidated statement of income as follows:
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Operating income	$	30,471	$	41,771
	Corporate other expense		16,462		22,501
	Income before income tax provision	$	14,009	$	19,270
Schedule of revenue, net of intersegment eliminations, by product group	The following table provides information on the Company's revenue, net of intersegment eliminations, by product group (dollars in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
	Local voice and other retail services	$	254,577	$	258,604		$	255,592
	Network access services		125,425		130,358			129,906
	Data center colocation		10,737		2,188			—
		$	390,739	$	391,150		$	385,498

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Schedule of quarterly operating results	The Company's quarterly operating results are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Operating		Operating		Net		Earnings		Earnings
		Revenues		Income		Income		per share—		per share—
								basic		diluted
	Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	First Quarter	$	97,072	$	8,138	$	2,368	$	0.22	$	0.21
	Second Quarter		96,784		7,892		2,239		0.21		0.20
	Third Quarter		97,252		6,620		1,516		0.14		0.13
	Fourth Quarter		99,631		7,821		1,976		0.19		0.17
	Total	$	390,739	$	30,471	$	8,099	$	0.76	$	0.72
	Year Ended December 31, 2013:
	First Quarter	$	95,965	$	8,585	$	1,848	$	0.18	$	0.17
	Second Quarter		96,997		15,226		3,951		0.38		0.36
	Third Quarter		97,682		7,914		2,061		0.20		0.18
	Fourth Quarter		100,506		10,046		2,628		0.25		0.23
	Total	$	391,150	$	41,771	$	10,488	$	1.01	$	0.95

Restricted_Net_Assets_and_Pare1

Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information
Schedule of condensed statements of income
	Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Equity in earnings of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.	$	8,099		$	10,488		$	109,982
	Income tax expense		—			—			—
	Net income		8,099			10,488			109,982
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(19,231	)		23,734			29,068
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(11,132	)	$	34,222		$	139,050
Schedule of condensed balance sheets
	Condensed Balance Sheets
	(Dollars in Thousands)
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Assets
	Investment in Hawaiian Telcom
	Communications, Inc.	$	304,534		$	313,012
	Total assets	$	304,534		$	313,012
	Stockholders' Equity
	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 245,000,000 shares authorized and 10,673,292 and 10,495,856 shares issued and outstanding	$	107		$	105
	Additional paid-in capital		170,521			167,869
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(23,947	)		(4,716	)
	Retained earnings		157,853			149,754
	Total stockholders' equity	$	304,534		$	313,012
Schedule of condensed statements of cash flows
	Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
	(Dollars in Thousands)
		For the Year Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net income	$	8,099		$	10,488		$	109,982
	Undistributed earnings of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.		(8,099	)		(10,488	)		(109,982	)
	Net cash provided by operating activities,net change in cash and ending balance of cash	$	—		$	—		$	—

Description_of_Business_Detail

Description of Business (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Description of Business
Number of subsidiaries owned by company	1
Number of subsidiaries owned by subsidiary	2

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Number of banks in which the entity has its majority cash balances held in demand deposit accounts	1
Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Accounts payable	$21.20	$14.20
Taxes Collected from Customers
Excise taxes and Hawaii Public Utility Commission fees	$7.50	$7.40	$7.20
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Advance billing period for basic local service and enhanced calling feature services	1 month
Maximum
Revenue recognition
Period of IRU related payments to be received	25 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Denominator used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	10,591,351	10,337,339	10,242,573
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee and director restricted stock units (in shares)	143,787	163,101	112,510
Warrants (in shares)	572,913	593,491	305,564
Diluted earnings per share - weighted average shares	11,308,051	11,093,931	10,660,647
Shares attributable to restricted stock units excluded from computation of weighted average dilutive shares			7,511
Advertising
Advertising expense	$6.10	$4	$4.20
Building | Minimum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	18 years
Building | Maximum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	34 years
Cable and Wire | Minimum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	11 years
Cable and Wire | Maximum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	37 years
Switching and Circuit Equipment | Minimum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	4 years
Switching and Circuit Equipment | Maximum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	15 years
Other Property, Plant and Equipment | Minimum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	5 years
Other Property, Plant and Equipment | Maximum
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	17 years
Software
Property and Depreciation
Average economic lives	5 years
Number of stages for segregation of project costs associated with internally developed software	3

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisitions
Cash paid, net of cash acquired and final purchase price adjustments										$11,858,000	$8,343,000
Revenue	99,631,000	97,252,000	96,784,000	97,072,000	100,506,000	97,682,000	96,997,000	95,965,000	390,739,000	391,150,000	385,498,000
Net income	1,976,000	1,516,000	2,239,000	2,368,000	2,628,000	2,061,000	3,951,000	1,848,000	8,099,000	10,488,000	109,982,000
Assets -
Goodwill	12,104,000				12,104,000				12,104,000	12,104,000
System Metrics Corporation
Acquisitions
Total purchase price												16,300,000
Cash paid, net of cash acquired and final purchase price adjustments												11,900,000
Period over which earn-out is to be paid												3 years
Contingent earn-out consideration payable	1,100,000								1,100,000
Transaction costs					900,000					900,000
Revenue										2,200,000
Net income										-200,000
Assets -
Property and equipment					3,781,000					3,781,000
Intangible assets recognized					4,380,000					4,380,000
Goodwill					10,527,000					10,527,000
Other assets					643,000					643,000
Assets					19,331,000					19,331,000
Liabilities -
Current liabilities					3,679,000					3,679,000
Non-current liabilities					2,636,000					2,636,000
Deferred income taxes					1,158,000					1,158,000
Liabilities					7,473,000					7,473,000
Net acquisition price					11,858,000					11,858,000
Supplemental Unaudited Pro Forma Information
Revenues										396,950,000	393,280,000
Net income										-10,940,000	-109,438,000
System Metrics Corporation | Recognized as of Acquisition
Assets -
Property and equipment					3,781,000					3,781,000
Intangible assets recognized					4,380,000					4,380,000
Goodwill					10,368,000					10,368,000
Other assets					643,000					643,000
Assets					19,172,000					19,172,000
Liabilities -
Current liabilities					3,684,000					3,684,000
Non-current liabilities					2,304,000					2,304,000
Deferred income taxes					1,326,000					1,326,000
Liabilities					7,314,000					7,314,000
Net acquisition price					11,858,000					11,858,000
System Metrics Corporation | Measurement Period Adjustments
Assets -
Goodwill					159,000					159,000
Assets					159,000					159,000
Liabilities -
Current liabilities					-5,000					-5,000
Non-current liabilities					332,000					332,000
Deferred income taxes					-168,000					-168,000
Liabilities					159,000					159,000
Wavecom Solutions Corporation
Acquisitions
Cash paid, net of cash acquired and final purchase price adjustments											8,700,000
Transaction costs											800,000
Revenue											394,159,000
Net income											-106,124,000
Assets -
Property and equipment					12,774,000					12,774,000
Intangible assets recognized					650,000					650,000
Goodwill					1,577,000					1,577,000
Deferred income taxes					488,000					488,000
Other assets					1,663,000					1,663,000
Assets					17,152,000					17,152,000
Liabilities -
Current liabilities					2,360,000					2,360,000
Non-current liabilities					2,100,000					2,100,000
Payable from Wavecom to the Company					4,037,000					4,037,000
Liabilities					8,497,000					8,497,000
Net acquisition price					8,655,000					8,655,000
Settlement gain on pre-existing relationship											4,000,000
Settlement gain offset by bad debt expense											2,500,000
Wavecom Solutions Corporation | Recognized as of Acquisition
Assets -
Property and equipment					11,898,000					11,898,000
Intangible assets recognized					1,060,000					1,060,000
Goodwill					1,569,000					1,569,000
Other assets					1,663,000					1,663,000
Assets					16,190,000					16,190,000
Liabilities -
Current liabilities					2,360,000					2,360,000
Non-current liabilities					1,450,000					1,450,000
Payable from Wavecom to the Company					4,037,000					4,037,000
Liabilities					7,847,000					7,847,000
Net acquisition price					8,343,000					8,343,000
Wavecom Solutions Corporation | Measurement Period Adjustments
Assets -
Property and equipment					876,000					876,000
Intangible assets recognized					-410,000					-410,000
Goodwill					8,000					8,000
Deferred income taxes					488,000					488,000
Assets					962,000					962,000
Liabilities -
Non-current liabilities					650,000					650,000
Liabilities					650,000					650,000
Net acquisition price					$312,000					$312,000

Receivables_Details

Receivables (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables
Customers and other	$36,417	$38,463
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-3,755	-3,942	-2,631	-2,924
Receivables, net	$32,662	$34,521

Receivables_Details_2

Receivables (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts
Beginning Balance	$3,942,000	$2,631,000	$2,924,000
Additional Charges to Costs and Expenses	3,590,000	3,455,000	716,000
Recoveries to (Deductions from) Allowance	-3,777,000	-2,144,000	-1,009,000
Ending Balance	3,755,000	3,942,000	2,631,000
Wavecom Solutions Corporation
Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts
Settlement gain on pre-existing relationship			$4,000,000

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		$843,589,000	$729,364,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		277,633,000	204,989,000
Total property, plant and equipment, net		565,956,000	524,375,000
Depreciation expense		75,100,000	74,500,000	68,200,000
Selling price of parcel of land and warehouse	13,900,000
Commissions and other costs paid through escrow			800,000
Proceeds from sale, net of commissions and other costs paid			13,118,000
Gain on sale of parcel of land and warehouse			6,546,000
Amount required to spend on training employees on broadband telecommunication deployment and operation			300,000
Proceeds received from sale of radio towers		2,900,000
Minimum lease term under sale and leaseback		10 years
Land
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		67,278,000	67,278,000
Building
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		110,852,000	107,273,000
Central office equipment
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		177,283,000	149,940,000
Outside Communications Plant
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		334,179,000	290,201,000
Furniture, Vehicles And Other Equipment Member
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		60,290,000	42,613,000
Construction in Progress
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		28,214,000	24,557,000
Software
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		54,635,000	42,645,000
Other
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment		$10,858,000	$4,857,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Subject to amortization
Gross Carrying Value	$22,029,000	$22,029,000
Accumulated Amortization	12,001,000	9,104,000
Net Carrying Value	10,028,000	12,925,000
Total intangible assets
Gross Carrying Value	49,329,000	49,329,000
Net Carrying Value	37,328,000	40,225,000
Goodwill recognized in conjunction with the acquisition	12,104,000	12,104,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	2,900,000	2,800,000	2,700,000
Estimated amortization expense
2015	2,498,000
2016	2,101,000
2017	1,703,000
2018	1,308,000
2019	930,000
Thereafter	1,488,000
Net Carrying Value	10,028,000	12,925,000
Trade Names [Member]
Not subject to amortization
Carrying Value - Brand name	27,300,000	27,300,000
System Metrics Corporation
Total intangible assets
Intangible assets recognized		4,380,000
Goodwill recognized in conjunction with the acquisition		10,527,000
Wavecom Solutions Corporation
Total intangible assets
Intangible assets recognized		650,000
Goodwill recognized in conjunction with the acquisition		1,577,000
Telecommunications [Member] | Wavecom Solutions Corporation
Total intangible assets
Goodwill recognized in conjunction with the acquisition		1,600,000
Data Center Colocation Services | System Metrics Corporation
Total intangible assets
Goodwill recognized in conjunction with the acquisition		10,500,000
Customer relationships
Subject to amortization
Gross Carrying Value	21,709,000	21,709,000
Accumulated Amortization	11,799,000	8,983,000
Net Carrying Value	9,910,000	12,726,000
Estimated amortization expense
Net Carrying Value	9,910,000	12,726,000
Customer relationships | System Metrics Corporation
Total intangible assets
Intangible assets recognized		4,300,000
Estimated useful life, intangible assets acquired		13 years
Customer relationships | Wavecom Solutions Corporation
Total intangible assets
Intangible assets recognized			900,000
Estimated useful life, intangible assets acquired			6 years
Trade name and other
Subject to amortization
Gross Carrying Value	320,000	320,000
Accumulated Amortization	202,000	121,000
Net Carrying Value	118,000	199,000
Estimated amortization expense
Net Carrying Value	118,000	199,000
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | System Metrics Corporation
Total intangible assets
Intangible assets recognized		100,000
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Wavecom Solutions Corporation
Total intangible assets
Intangible assets recognized			$200,000

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Salaries and benefits	$15,910	$15,160
Interest	2,550	2,576
Other taxes	939	1,051
Accrued expenses	19,399	18,787
Other Liabilities Current
Other postretirement benefits, current	2,660	2,611
Installment financing contracts, current	2,787	1,508
Other	1,343	2,293
Other current liabilities	$6,790	$6,412

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term debt
Term loan			$296,138,000
Original issue discount			-3,715,000	-4,459,000
Total			292,423,000	294,679,000
Current			3,000,000	3,000,000
Long-term debt			289,423,000	291,679,000
Deferment of financing costs				2,700,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				3,660,000	5,112,000
Capitalized premium on the repayment of debt and refinancing fees					5,000,000
Capitalized Interest
Interest capitalized			1,100,000	1,200,000	2,000,000
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2015			3,000,000
2016			3,000,000
2017			3,000,000
2018			3,000,000
2019			284,138,000
Total			296,138,000
Term Loan
Long-term debt
Term loan			296,138,000	299,138,000
Quarterly principal payments			800,000
Excess cash flow used to prepay the debt			0	0	2,100,000
Underwriting fees and legal costs	3,400,000	4,100,000
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Total			296,138,000	299,138,000
Term Loan | Minimum
Long-term debt
Percentage of excess cash flow used to prepay the debt			25.00%
Term Loan | Maximum
Long-term debt
Percentage of excess cash flow used to prepay the debt			50.00%
Term Loan | Prime Rate
Long-term debt
Variable rate basis			prime rate
Margin (as a percent)			3.00%
Term Loan | Eurodollar [Member]
Long-term debt
Interest Rate (as a percent)			4.00%
Variable rate basis			one, two, three or six months Eurocurrency rate
Margin (as a percent)			5.00%
Term loan repaid
Long-term debt
Premium paid on repayment of debt	3,000,000	6,000,000
Term loan repaid | Eurodollar [Member]
Long-term debt
Variable interest rate floor (as a percent)			1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term debt
Available balance under the facility			30,000,000
Amounts drawn under the facility			$0	$0
Revolving Credit Facility | Prime Rate | Minimum
Long-term debt
Variable rate basis			prime rate
Margin (as a percent)			3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Prime Rate | Maximum
Long-term debt
Variable rate basis			prime rate
Margin (as a percent)			6.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Eurodollar [Member] | Minimum
Long-term debt
Variable rate basis			Eurocurrency rate for one, two, three or six month periods
Margin (as a percent)			4.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Eurodollar [Member] | Maximum
Long-term debt
Variable rate basis			Eurocurrency rate for one, two, three or six month periods
Margin (as a percent)			5.50%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 01, 2012	Jan. 24, 2012
Amounts recognized on balance sheet:
Other current liabilities	($2,660,000)	($2,611,000)
Employee benefit obligations	-99,366,000	-80,321,000
Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Reduction in the net recorded liability				33,400,000
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of period	220,330,000	245,211,000
Service cost			1,488,000
Interest cost	8,844,000	8,344,000	10,008,000
Actuarial (gain) loss	26,643,000	-16,236,000
Benefits paid	-7,312,000	-16,989,000
Obligation at end of period	248,505,000	220,330,000	245,211,000
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	188,386,000	164,426,000
Actual return on plan assets	15,562,000	29,056,000
Employer contributions	9,673,000	11,893,000
Benefits paid	-7,312,000	-16,989,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	206,309,000	188,386,000	164,426,000
Funded status:
Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation	-42,196,000	-31,944,000
Amounts recognized on balance sheet:
Employee benefit obligations	-42,196,000	-31,944,000
Net amount recognized	-42,196,000	-31,944,000
Actuarial gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-27,728,000	-3,783,000
Actuarial assumptions:
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	-3,685,000	-2,888,000	434,000
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year	100,000
Pension Benefits | Minimum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.70%	4.40%
Pension Benefits | Maximum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.74%	4.62%
Other Postretirement Benefits
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of period	50,988,000	53,630,000
Service cost	897,000	1,047,000	965,000
Interest cost	2,384,000	2,089,000	2,362,000
Actuarial (gain) loss	7,239,000	-4,044,000
Benefits paid	-1,678,000	-1,734,000
Obligation at end of period	59,830,000	50,988,000	53,630,000
Change in plan assets:
Employer contributions	1,678,000	1,734,000
Benefits paid	-1,678,000	-1,734,000
Funded status:
Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation	-59,830,000	-50,988,000
Amounts recognized on balance sheet:
Other current liabilities	-2,660,000	-2,611,000
Employee benefit obligations	-57,170,000	-48,377,000
Net amount recognized	-59,830,000	-50,988,000
Actuarial gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-10,931,000	-3,752,000
Actuarial assumptions:
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	3,341,000	3,492,000	3,445,000
Assumed health care cost trend rate, current (as a percent)	7.00%	7.50%	7.50%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, current (as a percent)	6.75%	7.00%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year	600,000
Other Postretirement Benefits | Minimum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.97%	4.75%
Other Postretirement Benefits | Maximum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.15%	5.01%
Union Pension Plan
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Reduction in the net recorded liability				$30,200,000
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)					4.54%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details1

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits
Benefit costs
Service cost			$1,488,000
Interest cost	8,844,000	8,344,000	10,008,000
Expected asset return	-12,664,000	-11,860,000	-11,491,000
Amortization of net (gain) loss	135,000	628,000	429,000
Total benefit cost (income)	-3,685,000	-2,888,000	434,000
Actuarial assumptions:
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	7.25%	7.50%	7.75%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	7.25%	7.50%	7.75%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year	100,000
Pension Benefits | Minimum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.70%	4.40%
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.40%	3.55%	4.44%
Long-term rate of compensation increase (as a percent)			3.50%
Pension Benefits | Maximum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.74%	4.62%
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.62%	3.80%	4.59%
Long-term rate of compensation increase (as a percent)			5.00%
Other Postretirement Benefits
Benefit costs
Service cost	897,000	1,047,000	965,000
Interest cost	2,384,000	2,089,000	2,362,000
Amortization of net (gain) loss	60,000	356,000	118,000
Total benefit cost (income)	3,341,000	3,492,000	3,445,000
Actuarial assumptions:
Assumed health care cost trend rate, current (as a percent)	7.00%	7.50%	7.50%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Assumed health care cost trend rate, ultimate year	$600,000
Other Postretirement Benefits | Minimum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.97%	4.75%
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.75%	3.85%	4.85%
Other Postretirement Benefits | Maximum
Actuarial assumptions:
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.15%	5.01%
Discount rate (as a percent)	5.01%	4.10%	5.09%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details2

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Securities [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Target allocations for plan assets (as a percent)	65.00%
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Target allocations for plan assets (as a percent)	35.00%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	$18,752,000	$18,658,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Common Stock
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	18,752,000	18,658,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	187,557,000	169,728,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	108,189,000	100,478,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	78,503,000	68,242,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	865,000	1,008,000
Fair Value
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	206,309,000	188,386,000
Fair Value | Common Stock
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	18,752,000	18,658,000
Fair Value | Equity Funds [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	108,189,000	100,478,000
Fair Value | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	78,503,000	68,242,000
Fair Value | Short-term Investments [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	865,000	1,008,000
Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of plan assets	206,309,000	188,386,000	164,426,000
Expected company contribution	10,000,000
Projected benefit payments
2015	48,966,000
2016	23,343,000
2017	18,827,000
2018	18,601,000
2019	15,307,000
2020through 2024	68,611,000
Projected benefit payments	193,655,000
Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Expected company contribution	2,700,000
Projected benefit payments
2015	2,712,000
2016	2,831,000
2017	3,058,000
2018	3,324,000
2019	3,428,000
2020through 2024	17,777,000
Projected benefit payments	33,130,000
Annual effects of one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates
1-Percentage Point Increase, Effect on total of service and interest costs components	205,000
1-Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on total of service and interest costs components	-169,000
1-Percentage Point Increase, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	3,840,000
1-Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	($3,070,000)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details3

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item
401(K) Plan
Number of 401(k) employee savings plans	2
Employer's contributions	$5.10	$4.90	$4.70
Union Employees | Maximum
401(K) Plan
Company matching employee contributions (as a percent)	10.00%
Nonunion Employees
401(K) Plan
Company matching employee contributions (as a percent)	6.00%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current
State and local	($941)	($835)	($535)
Current	-941	-835	-535
Deferred
Federal	6,081	8,346	-78,978
State and local	770	1,271	-11,849
Deferred	6,851	9,617	-90,827
Total income tax expense (benefit)	5,910	8,782	-91,362
Statutory federal income tax rate (as a percent)	34.00%
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
Income tax (benefit) at federal rate	4,763	6,552	6,331
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	592	814	774
Permanent difference for compensation limitation	595	575	271
Expense reflected in tax basis	415
Tax credit included in taxable income	327	320	204
Other permanent differences	47	931	26
Capital goods excise tax credit	-942	-836	-535
Other, net	51	6
Change in valuation allowance	62	420	-98,433
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$5,910	$8,782	($91,362)

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	$46,618,000	$37,319,000
Other basis differences	577,000	582,000
Deferred tax liabilities	47,195,000	37,901,000
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	43,497,000	25,730,000
Intangible assets	52,022,000	62,626,000
Expenses deferred for tax	6,138,000	7,278,000
Employee benefits	30,029,000	21,654,000
Other basis differences	4,457,000	4,453,000
Gross deferred tax assets	136,143,000	121,741,000
Valuation allowance	-482,000	-420,000	-120,336,000
Net deferred tax assets	135,661,000	121,321,000
Deferred tax asset, net	88,466,000	83,420,000
Excess tax deductions related to employee stock expense	1,600,000	400,000
Federal
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses available for carry forward	105,900,000
State
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses available for carry forward	$113,100,000

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in valuation allowance
Beginning Balance	$420,000		$120,336,000
Charge (Credit) to Income Tax Expense or Equity	62,000	420,000	-120,336,000
Ending Balance	482,000	420,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	$0	$0	$0

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholder's Equity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Stockholders' Equity
Warrants issued (in shares)				1,481,055
Exercise Price (in dollars per share)				$14
Shares of common stock issued on exercise of warrants	73,422	117,784	17
Warrants outstanding (in shares)	1,094,085

Stockholders_Equity_Details_2

Stockholder's Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholder's Equity
Number of shares issuable under the plan		1,400,000
Shares remaining to be issued	720,000
Restricted Stock Units
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$18	$15	$17
Granted (in dollars per share)	$31	$20	$16
Vested (in dollars per share)	$21	$15	$20
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$25	$17	$18
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$27	$18	$15
Shares
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	260,734	223,224	248,951
Granted (in shares)	155,146	181,330	124,636
Vested (in shares)	-157,794	-120,902	-116,711
Forfeited (in shares)	-12,334	-22,918	-33,652
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)	245,752	260,734	223,224
Performance and Market Based Restricted Stock Units
Stockholder's Equity
Vesting period	4 years
Director [Member] | Service Based Restricted Stock Units
Stockholder's Equity
Vesting period	3 years

Stockholders_Equity_Details_3

Stockholder's Equity (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholder's Equity
Taxes paid related to net share settlement on equity awards	$1,520,000	$806,000	$258,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	4,200,000	2,700,000	1,900,000
Expected volatility rate (as a percent)	25.60%
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)	0.35%
Dividend rate (as a percent)	0.00%
Incremental value treated as additional expense	600,000
Restricted Stock Units
Stockholder's Equity
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense	3,200,000
Expected weighted average recognition period	2 years
Fair value of restricted stock units vested	3,900,000	2,500,000	1,800,000
Shares withheld to cover withholding tax of unit holders	53,775	34,730	15,360
Taxes paid related to net share settlement on equity awards	$1,500,000	$800,000	$300,000

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Leases
Total rent expense	$5,100,000	$3,900,000	$2,700,000
Aggregate minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases
2015	2,405,000
2016	2,090,000
2017	1,908,000
2018	1,708,000
2019	1,694,000
Thereafter	8,167,000
Total	$17,972,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	($28,450)	($4,716)	($28,450)	($57,518)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	29,068	-19,231	23,734	29,068
Balance at the end of the period	-28,450	-23,947	-4,716	-28,450
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	-36	-60	-36		-33
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-3	-4	-24
Balance at the end of the period		-64	-60		-33
Retirement plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	-28,414	-4,656	-28,414		-57,485
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	29,071	-19,227	23,758
Balance at the end of the period		($23,883)	($4,656)		($57,485)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassifications out of other comprehensive income (loss)
Amortization of (gain) loss									$115,974	$114,875	$108,508
Income Tax Expense									5,910	8,782	-91,362
Net income	-1,976	-1,516	-2,239	-2,368	-2,628	-2,061	-3,951	-1,848	-8,099	-10,488	-109,982
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Reclassifications out of other comprehensive income (loss)
Amortization of (gain) loss									195	984	547
Retirement plans
Reclassifications out of other comprehensive income (loss)
Income Tax Expense									74	374
Net income									$121	$610	$547

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	$21,080,000
2016	19,005,000
2017	4,722,000
Total	44,807,000
Annual fixed fees incurred	$9,300,000	$12,800,000	$12,800,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (Jointly owned utility plant, USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Jointly owned utility plant
Jointly Owned Utility Plant Interests [Line Items]
Cost of construction	$245
Company investment in construction costs of plant	25
Additional system capacity to be acquired in exchange for construction of landing station	$5

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 3) (Solar photovoltaic systems power purchase agreement, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Solar photovoltaic systems power purchase agreement
Long-term Contract for Purchase of Electric Power [Line Items]
Term of power purchase agreement	25 years
Estimated amount of power to be purchased in 2015	$0.70

Commitments_and_Contingencies_4

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Capital costs related to service lines in Puna	$0.50
Tropical Storm Iselle
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss	2.8
Expense recognized attributed to storm	$1.10

Commitments_and_Contingencies_5

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 5) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Current reflected in other current liabilities	$2,787	$1,508
Other Installment Contracts
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
2015	3,176
2016	1,601
2017	1,099
2018	932
2019	938
Thereafter	9,872
Total	17,618
Less amounts representing interest	5,334
Present value	12,284
Current reflected in other current liabilities	2,787
Non current reflected in other liabilities	$9,497

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Recurring
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Assets - investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	$808	$807
Liabilities - long-term debt (carried at cost)	296,908	299,886
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Recurring
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Assets - investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	808	807
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Recurring
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Liabilities - long-term debt (carried at cost)	296,908	299,886
Carrying Value
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Assets - investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	808	807
Liabilities - long-term debt (carried at cost)	292,423	294,679
Fair Value
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Assets - investment in U.S. Treasury obligations	808	807
Liabilities - long-term debt (carried at cost)	$296,908	$299,886

Cash_Flow_Information_Details

Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash paid during the year:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$14,667	$18,094	$21,966
Non-cash investing activities - capital assets acquired under installment contracts	$6,005

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
									item
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments									2
Segment Information
Operating revenues	$99,631	$97,252	$96,784	$97,072	$100,506	$97,682	$96,997	$95,965	$390,739	$391,150	$385,498
Depreciation and amortization									78,014	77,301	70,908
Operating income (loss)	7,821	6,620	7,892	8,138	10,046	7,914	15,226	8,585	30,471	41,771	45,856
Capital expenditures									103,706	93,041
Assets	801,968				778,015				801,968	778,015
Telecommunications [Member]
Segment Information
Operating revenues									381,013	389,168
Depreciation and amortization									76,325	76,935
Operating income (loss)									30,683	41,907
Capital expenditures									103,588	92,742
Assets	777,412				758,993				777,412	758,993
Data Center Colocation Services
Segment Information
Operating revenues									10,737	2,188
Depreciation and amortization									1,689	366
Operating income (loss)									-212	-136
Capital expenditures									118	299
Assets	24,556				19,022				24,556	19,022
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Information
Operating revenues									($1,011)	($206)

Segment_Information_Details_2

Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of total operating income to the consolidated statement of income
Operating income	$7,821,000	$6,620,000	$7,892,000	$8,138,000	$10,046,000	$7,914,000	$15,226,000	$8,585,000	$30,471,000	$41,771,000	$45,856,000
Income before income tax provision (benefit)									14,009,000	19,270,000	18,620,000
Telecommunications [Member]
Reconciliation of total operating income to the consolidated statement of income
Operating income									30,683,000	41,907,000
Gain from the sale of property										6,500,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Reconciliation of total operating income to the consolidated statement of income
Operating income									30,471,000	41,771,000
Corporate other expense									-16,462,000	-22,501,000
Income before income tax provision (benefit)									$14,009,000	$19,270,000

Segment_Information_Details_3

Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Information on revenue, net of intersegment eliminations, by product group
Revenue	$99,631,000	$97,252,000	$96,784,000	$97,072,000	$100,506,000	$97,682,000	$96,997,000	$95,965,000	$390,739,000	$391,150,000	$385,498,000
Local voice and other retail services
Information on revenue, net of intersegment eliminations, by product group
Revenue									254,577,000	258,604,000	255,592,000
Network access services
Information on revenue, net of intersegment eliminations, by product group
Revenue									125,425,000	130,358,000	129,906,000
Data center colocation
Information on revenue, net of intersegment eliminations, by product group
Revenue									10,737,000	2,188,000
Proceeds from the sale of equipment									$400,000

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Operating revenues	$99,631	$97,252	$96,784	$97,072	$100,506	$97,682	$96,997	$95,965	$390,739	$391,150	$385,498
Operating income	7,821	6,620	7,892	8,138	10,046	7,914	15,226	8,585	30,471	41,771	45,856
Net income	$1,976	$1,516	$2,239	$2,368	$2,628	$2,061	$3,951	$1,848	$8,099	$10,488	$109,982
Basic	$0.19	$0.14	$0.21	$0.22	$0.25	$0.20	$0.38	$0.18	$0.76	$1.01	$10.74
Diluted	$0.17	$0.13	$0.20	$0.21	$0.23	$0.18	$0.36	$0.17	$0.72	$0.95	$10.32

Restricted_Net_Assets_and_Pare2

Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Equity in earnings of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.										$14,009	$19,270	$18,620
Income Tax Expense										5,910	8,782	-91,362
Net income		1,976	1,516	2,239	2,368	2,628	2,061	3,951	1,848	8,099	10,488	109,982
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	29,068									-19,231	23,734	29,068
Comprehensive income (loss)										-11,132	34,222	139,050
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Equity in earnings of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.										8,099	10,488	109,982
Net income										8,099	10,488	109,982
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax										-19,231	23,734	29,068
Comprehensive income (loss)										($11,132)	$34,222	$139,050

Restricted_Net_Assets_and_Pare3

Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Investment in Hawaiian Telcom Communication, Inc.	$801,968	$778,015
Total assets	801,968	778,015
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 245,000,000 shares authorized and 10,673,292 and 10,495,856 shares issued and outstanding	107	105
Additional paid-in capital	170,521	167,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-23,947	-4,716	-28,450	-57,518
Retained earnings	157,853	149,754
Total stockholders' equity	304,534	313,012	276,860	136,196
Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Investment in Hawaiian Telcom Communication, Inc.	304,534	313,012
Total assets	304,534	313,012
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 245,000,000 shares authorized and 10,673,292 and 10,495,856 shares issued and outstanding	107	105
Additional paid-in capital	170,521	167,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-23,947	-4,716
Retained earnings	157,853	149,754
Total stockholders' equity	$304,534	$313,012

Restricted_Net_Assets_and_Pare4

Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Balance Sheets
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	245,000,000	245,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	10,673,292	10,495,856
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,673,292	10,495,856
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheets
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares issued	10,673,292	10,495,856
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,673,292	10,495,856

Restricted_Net_Assets_and_Pare5

Restricted Net Assets and Parent Company Condensed Financial Information (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Net income	$1,976	$1,516	$2,239	$2,368	$2,628	$2,061	$3,951	$1,848	$8,099	$10,488	$109,982
Undistributed earnings of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.									-8,099	-10,488	-109,982
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Net income									$8,099	$10,488	$109,982