We propose and apply a novel approach to determining |Vus| which uses inclusive strange hadronic tau decay data and hadronic vacuum polarization functions (HVPs) computed on the lattice. The experimental and lattice data are related through dispersion relations which employ a class of weight functions having poles at space-like momentum. Implementing this approach using lattice data generated by the RBC/UKQCD collaboration, we show examples of weight functions which strongly suppress spectral integral contributions from the region where experimental data either have large uncertainties or do not exist while at the same time allowing accurate determinations of relevant lattice HVPs. Our result of |Vus| is in good agreement with determinations from K physics and 3-family CKM unitarity. The advantages of the new approach over the conventional sum rule analysis will be discussed.