Suggestions please! Volcanic rock chimney and fireplace surround

[Karen Margrave]

We are doing a remodel on a house in Sunriver, OR.  Most of the homes there were built in the 70's and have an overabundance of wood and volcanic rock everything! The rock is a black and dark gray color, not appealing. At the top of the chimney, it's cracking and needs repaired, but otherwise in good shape. 

Taking it out isn't an option as it would never get approved by the HOA. What does it take to remove all that rock? Has anyone done one of these before? As for the surround, the hearth is concrete and in pretty good shape, but the lava rock looks ugly. It's cemented to the wall and not sure of best way to remove rock .. or do we? @hat materials do you use for the heat resistance to adhere tile to?

We've built new construction for 30 years, this remodeling is new, and much more challenging in some ways.