Fixed. Just lower the hatch door very close to the latch, then press the hatch release button. The car thinks the hatch is locked and automatically releases the latch.
On a Gen 2 there is also a manual release lever on the driver-side (?) of the latch mechanism. Typically gets used if someone lets the 12v battery die. The rear floor board need to be lifted and there's a plastic cover about 1.5" x 3" at the rear of the storage tray. Pop that cover and it gives access to the latch & release lever .
