What was the name of the strategy used for capturing strategic Pacific locations?

The strategy used for capturing strategic Pacific locations was called "Island Hopping".

Explanation:

The Island Hopping strategy was a military tactic used by the Allies against the Japanese Empire during World War II, in the Pacific Front. The idea was to bypass some islands of the Pacific powerfully fortified by the Japanese and thus focus efforts on other strategic islands less well defended but that could serve as a basis for Americans to get closer to the Japanese territory in successive flips. This strategy was made possible by the use of air strikes and submarine warfare to block the encroached Japanese bases, isolating them and preventing their supply and reinforcement.

General Douglas MacArthur, who wanted to arrive to the Philippines as soon as possible, was the promoter of this idea, which was implemented for the first time during Operation Cartwheel against Rabaul in June 1943.