<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HAWAIIAN
ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES' CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
JUNE 30, 1997 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1997 AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
<CIK> 0000354707
<NAME> HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         129,398
<SECURITIES>                                 1,341,021
<RECEIVABLES>                                  148,179
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     47,126
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       2,900,993
<DEPRECIATION>                                 934,434
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,022,890
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        802,650
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           86,260
<PREFERRED>                                    148,293
<COMMON>                                       636,890
<OTHER-SE>                                     151,455
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,022,890
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               719,446
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  619,924
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (988)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,145
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,365
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,907
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,458
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,458
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.27