Dad loved mangoes. Nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than seeing someone at our front door, bearing a big bag of the sweet, juicy fruit. Since we didn't have a mango tree in our yard, we counted on the generosity of family, friends and neighbors to keep us well supplied.

Watching Dad cut fresh mango was a treat in itself. It amazed us kids that he could remove the skin with a paring knife in just a few smooth strokes—leaving long, paper-thin peels scattered like streamers on the chopping board. What remained after he sliced off the plump “;cheeks”; of the fruit were the oval seeds, with plenty of luscious golden flesh still on them.

We'd stand by the sink beside him (using step stools when we were really small), grab a seed and gnaw it until only a bit of bright fuzz was left. Juice ran down our chins, hands and arms to our elbows, and plenty of it usually got on our shirts and shorts, too.

But, oh, was it ono! My two brothers, sister and I always fought over who would get the last seed.

Likewise, it will be mango mania on Aug. 1 when the Big Island presents its inaugural Mango Festival.

The celebration begins at the Keauhou Farmers Market with tastings and a talk by orchard manager Stuart Johnson about mango cultivation and harvesting.

Chef William Trask, owner of Hawaiian Culinary Consultants, also will be on hand to make Flambe Mango with Chili Caramel Butter Sauce and Basil Whipped Cream.

Mango enthusiasts will then gather at the Keauhou Beach Resort, where the Mango Experience will provide all sorts of family-oriented diversions, including demonstrations of fruit cutting and preparation ideas; sales of mango-themed art, crafts and gifts; and discussions on mango's medicinal benefits and grafting, pruning and natural pest-control techniques.

Also planned are mango displays, prize drawings, live entertainment and a food court offering shave ice, smoothies, jams, chutney and other mango delights.

Refreshing Mangoritas (margaritas blended with fresh, pureed mangoes) will be available at the Veranda Lounge.

The event concludes with a Mango-Inspired Dinner featuring Thai-Style Big Island Beef Salad with Maupulehu Mango Vinaigrette; South Kona Mango-Scented Grilled Mahimahi with Jasmine Rice, Asparagus and Rapoza Mango Relish; and Warm Hayden Mango Sweet Bread Pudding with Mango Cream Anglaise.

Known as the Mango Medic, Johnson is happy to see his favorite fruit in the spotlight. A native of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, he moved to the Big Island in 2001 and became acquainted with mango two years later when he began working at orchards on the Kona coast. Today he handles irrigation, organic fertilizing, harvesting, grading, sales and marketing for 10 farms growing more than 30 varieties of mango.

“;I take care of a thousand trees, and I educate people about the health benefits of mango,”; Johnson said. “;It has 25 percent of the fiber we should consume daily, and it's a great source of vitamins A and C.”;

Mangoes thrive in Kona, which is typically hot and dry with light rains and little wind.

“;They don't like temperatures over 90 degrees and under 75 degrees,”; Johnson said. “;It's a pretty specific zone, but that's what you'll usually find on the west side of the Hawaiian islands.”;

Depending on the variety, mangoes ripen on the Big Island from May through September; July and August are the most productive months. In a good season, Johnson harvests more than 20,000 pounds of mangoes, which he sells to health food stores and at farmers markets in Kona.

If he has a bumper crop, he'll take a truckload to the east side.

“;It's like bringing water to the desert,”; he said. “;Puna and Hilo get hit hard with rains and winds, which knock the flowers off the trees so they won't bear fruit. I can go there with 1,500 pounds of mangoes and not come back with a single one.”;

Johnson's other passion is music. He plays the guitar, piano, bass, ukulele and drums and has a Thursday evening gig at Kanaka Kava in Kailua-Kona. He has written several songs about mangoes, and often includes them in his repertoire.

“;Tell your readers to stop by,”; Johnson said. “;They can have a cup of kava, listen to my music and talk story with me about mangoes.”;