Yes there's a better way : use a keymap file for hatari.

Create a file (keymap.cfg) and save it somewhere (/home/user/.hatari/). On a qwertz keyboard, I've remapped F1 on q and F2 on w like this :

113,59
119,60

The first number can be found here : http://www.koders.com/c/fid8D6280AEF...E634E5C6A.aspx

The second number on the keyboard drawed here : http://koti.mbnet.fi/tammat/hatari/hatari-ui.shtml

Once the file saved, you can call it from the basic configuration of Hatari, menu keyboard, option "From file" and you select the file you have created.