Joel B. Cox, a county engineer from Maui and son of Isaac M. Cox, joined the American Friends’ Service Committee during World War I to assist in reconstruction work in France. He sailed aboard the Rochambeau in February 1918 and was soon assigned to Chateau Hachette, where he built portable houses for refugees in connection with a tuberculosis hospital. Joel’s service continued at Malabry and in Paris, where he contributed to planning for the postwar reconstruction of Verdun. His role highlighted Hawaii’s involvement not just in military efforts but also in humanitarian rebuilding in war-torn Europe
