Originally Posted by JARblue

There is not another way. The rectangular button by the latch is the only way to physically open the hatch. You can unlock the hatch with the door panel unlock button or the fob unlock button (which you have to push twice), which will allow the hatch button to function without needing the fob, but you still have to push the button to open the hatch. The fob is only necessary if the hatch is locked, in which case pushing the hatch button once detects the fob to authorize the unlock as well as open the hatch door.