Removing easy carry handle from longboard

Long story short, I’m shaping a lis fish from a snapped Gnarloo foam board. Only problem–theres one of those handles that lets you hold longboards easier smack dab in the middle of my “blank”. I can definitely just cut it out and go all the way through the board, glue in a new piece of foam and glass over it, but since it doesnt go all the way through the deck, is there an easier way to take it out? I also dont want to weaken my board at all…I have absolutely no idea how these things are installed, so…ideas?

Slowly with a router should do the trick a jig to stop it spearing off into the foam would make it less stressfull. Hot glue gun comes in handy here.