For those that have the stock latch and the pull cable out the front of the hood (I hear Miata's use this for trunks a lot) what did you use to attach to the pull cable and how did you do it?
If you've got it in your hand (before you re-install it) look where the OE cable attaches. Run a pc of safety wire or light piano wire through that loop and back out. Usually you can do this w/o interrupting the OE cable. Most latches for hoods, trunks, doors don't need much pull tension to release them. Much of what you get for feel is in that long cable inside a sheath (lots of surface area to provide friction).

Matt