O'ahu vacation

This is totally untri-related!

Spending July and August in Hawaii and trying to figure out lodging. We typically camp for the 8-10 weeks of the summer and have had great trips (CA coast, New england, Puerto Rico, florida and the keys, etc) but we keep hearing how unsafe Oahu is for camping, especially as a white, two-mom family with 4 kids. We had figured out camping and how all the state campgrounds close for 2 nights a week when our family on Maui told us we were nuts. We recently had our car smash and grabbed while out of the US and lost our passports, wallets, the kids' backpacks with textbooks and phones, etc and are a little wary of doing all that again

So then we looked at cheap furnished apts. Waianae seemed to fit the bill- condos right on the beach with a pool and cheap. But then we heard that we won't be safe in that area either and it is just for locals addicted to meth. Also it looks like a long drive to explore the rest of the island. We'd like to stay away from the tourist areas but at the same time don't want to tread on anyone's local turf.

We are not typical tourists- We have no money! We just fly for free, usually camp, and eat from the grocery store or farmers' market. The kids are awesome adventurers and can live with outdoor showers and camp pads for months on end as long as we feel safe.

So, is O'ahu really this jungle of crime? I've already decided not to bring my bike if I don't have a safe place to keep it. Any suggestions for safe, cheap housing? We don't mind living with section 8 housing folks, but we don't want violence.

Thanks- can't wait to visit!