The state Board of Land and Natural Resources approved today the start of emergency work to remove several boulders from a hillside threatening homes in Kalihi Valley.

The board stepped in after three homes were damaged by boulders tumbled last week from land above the houses. The state said private landowners didn’t have the money or insurance to do the work.

The work will cost about $150,000 and can be done after the landowners have signed an agreement with the state, possibly next week.

William Aila, board chairman, said the work could be done in about one day and residents in the area will be notified beforehand.

Lance Collins, a resident of Kula Kolea Drive, said he helped gather 115 signatures on a petition asking the state to step in and remove the boulders remaining on the hillside after last Friday’s incident.

"Nobody’s sleeping," he told the board. "The sooner that you can get these rocks stabilized or removed, more people can start sleeping at night."