Hi,
If your planning on doing the job in a garage where you can support the weight of hood by a rope to a cross member, then you can leave it on but make sure you have enough height to open the hood to vertical, otherwise remove the hood which is only a matter of removing the windscreen washer pipe and four 6mm bolts on the hood edge above, hinge (can be done single handed but two people is easier).
Which ever way you decide to do it, first open hood to vertical, when you get to normal opening height release the sprung clip where the main spring attaches to the arm (one on each arm ) raise and support the hood, at this point the tension will be released and the springs can be removed (if you are going to remove the hood( easiest option) undo 6mm bolts, before removing, lower hood for safety, remove bolts and slide hood from hinges. Then it is a simple matter of removing the sprung- plate- clip from the end of the hinge pin, plus an 8mm bolt at the door end of the top link( watch you don't loose the bush ).Then fit new hinge and as Haynes manuals always say assembly is reverse of removal, when hood refitted adjust gap on hinges and secure. Job done
Ps If you decide to leave the hood on and support, pad with foam rubber between hood and windscreen, as the hood can push towards screen when hinge removed.Sorry to be so longwinded about it but it is an easy job Honest!!!