Six Hawaii-themed murals created by an American painter roughly 75 years ago are on public display for the first time as part of an annual charitable campaign by Matson Inc.

The Honolulu-based ocean cargo shipping company commissioned the artwork from Eugene Savage in 1938 and used reproductions on menu covers for its SS Lurline passenger liner, but World War II disrupted public display plans for the murals.

Last year, however, Matson lent the murals to the Hono­lulu Museum of Art and contributed $50,000 to help finance an art deco exhibit anchored by the murals, which are scheduled to remain on display through Aug. 16.

The gift was part of $1.2 million in charitable contributions Matson made in Hawaii last year through its Matson Foundation. The foundation contributed another $600,000 on the mainland and in Pacific regions outside Hawaii.

Matson reported giving $1.8 million in cash plus $140,000 in services or equipment, such as donated shipping and cargo containers, that benefited 646 organizations.

More information about Matson’s charitable giving program can be found in the foundation’s annual report, available online at matson.com/foundation.