I believe part of the reasoning, at least from what I’ve read, is to give smaller countries/territories at chance to host the event. The Pacific Mini Games have been held in , which have smaller populations (and in some cases very limited land mass), compared to places the Pacific Games have been held
isn’t sending a delegation this year, while is only allowed to compete in weightlifting and athletics I believe. Both countries were only recently allowed to start sending athletes to the Games on a limited basis.