HAWAII (REUTERS) - A tsunami warning could be issued for Hawaii due to a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck on Tuesday off the coast of Chile, US officials said.

If tsunami waves reach Hawaii, they would strike at 3.24am local time on Wednesday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said in a statement.

The earthquake off Chile generated a tsunami that hit the northern part of the country and led officials to issue a tsunami warning for all of South and Central America's Pacific coast.

"An evaluation of the Pacific wide tsunami threat is underway and there is a possibility that Hawaii could be elevated to a watch or warning status," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.

There is currently no tsunami warning, watch or advisory in effect for Hawaii, according to the center's website.